

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 




UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 


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SOME PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEWS OF 



W-BIlSHU 


Goldey Wilmington Gommereial Gollege and 
School of Shorthand, 

WILMIlTaTOlT,. DELiLWA.RE. 


Young people of both sexes quickly prepared for self-support and 
aided to situations. 


pall Term opens September 4th. Enter at any time. 


Magnificent, new descriptive Catalogue, filled with beautiful photo¬ 
engravings and other elegant illustrations, mailed free on 
application. fglTWrite for it. 


H. S. GOLDEY, Principal 












Designer of 

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Marble Mi 

Granite. 

L. 

Jones, 



West 8th St., 

^A^ilmington, Del. 


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1881 to 1893. 


, . .HISTORY... 


G. A. R, DEPARTMENT OF 
DELAWARE, 

WITH SPECIAL MENTION OF THE DEPARTMENT 
OF MARYLAND. 




3.^/3) V 


Also the Auxiliaries of the G. A. R., and the 
Union Veteran Uegion. 

Re-unions, Reminiscences of Regiments, Camp-fires, 
National Guards, etc. 

—Copyright, 1893. All Rights Reserved Ry<^— 

CHARLES A. ( FOSTER,^ n 

Qja- . 

Department Historian, 


Office of Historian, 

No. 1 West 7TH Street. 


Wilmington, Del. 











I 


WASHINGTON COMMITTEE. 

Visits of the Committee on Washington G- A. R. Encamp¬ 
ment. 

The joint Committee on Arrangement for the Annual National Encamp¬ 
ment of the G. A. R., from the different posts of Wilmington consisting of: 
From Post i, Chas. A. Foster, Geo. W. King, Samuel Lewis, Richard Herit¬ 
age, Jacob Slifer ; Post 2, P. B. Ayers, B. D. Bogia, Edgar Finley, Joseph 
Duffy, Chas. W. Solloway, Post 4, Nero Bachus, D. A. Jackson, Isaac Wil¬ 
son, K. A. Austin, J. R. Walker ; Post 13, Moses Bullock, A. W. Blair, 
Francis McCloskey, George Hillsley; Post 23, A. H. Hyatt, H. S. Kyle, J. 
L. French, J. W. Agnew and M. B. Fowler, made their initial visit to Wash¬ 
ington, D. C., on January 26, 1892. 

After transacting their business the committee visited the Capitol where 
they were cordially received by the Senators and Representatives who ac¬ 
companied them to the various places of interest, and afterwards dined with 
the committee at the Hotel Willard. Speeches were made by Senators 
Gray and Higgins, Representative Causey, Past Commander P. B. Ayars, 
Department Commander Col. A. J. Woodman and Chas. A. Foster. Col. 
Wm. B. Norton acted as toastmaster. 

After the banquet the committee visited Meade Post, where speeches 
were made by comrades from Posts 12, 13 and 23, of Wilmington, New 
York and Washington. 

Wm. B. Norton, C. L. Jefferis and Col. A. J. Woodman, all of Post 23, 
resigned as members'of the Washington committee. 

Others were appointed to fill their places. This committee continued 
its work until after the celebration at Brandywine Springs, July 4th, 1892 ; 
and was discharged from its labors, after the 26th Annual Encampment 
at Washington, of providing ways and means for the entertainment of the 
Department of Delaware at that encampment. 

FRATERNAL YISIT. 

The Washington Committee of the Department of Delaware, made a 
fraternal visit to Baltimore in March. They were met at the depot by a 
large delegation of Dushane Post, No. 3, of Baltimore; Past Department 
Commander George H. Graham, Post Commander Kohler, Past Com¬ 
mander Miller, Major Graham and Lieutenant-Colonel Marsh, of the 5th Md; 
veterans, Comrade Sweet and a number of other comrades headed by Capt. 
Frank Nolen. With this delegation they made a tour of the city, visiting 
the cyclorama of the Monitor and Merrimac, the Cathedral, Pratt Library, 
and walked along the beautiful thoroughfares. At Captain Nolen’s store 
they were presented with a book, the record of the Monument Commission 
of Maryland, containing fine portraits of the Commission and of the mag¬ 
nificent monuments and a complete history of their work. The officers 
were Colonel Theodore Long, chairman ; Captain Frank Nolen, secretary ; 
Dr. George H. Graham, corresponding secretary. 

As guests of Dushane Post, the visitors were entertained at supper at the 

Maltby House. , , _ , . . _ 

After supper the veterans marched to the splendid post-room of the Du¬ 
shane Post, at Baltimore street and Post Office avenue. A special muster 
was given in honor of the visitors, and upon invitation Past Department 
Commander Daniel Ross conducted open camp fire. 

Past Department Commander Smith made an address of welcome. 
Colonel C. Af Foster, aide-de-camp on the staff of General Palmer, was next 


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TELEPHONE 345. 



3 




called, making a few brief remarks and reading a poem called “One Flag 
in Procession.” 

Speeches were also made by Captain Nolen, Colonel Hyatt, Comrade 
A. A. Gen. Finley and Past Department Commander Ayars. A lunch of 
hard-tack, coffee, etc., was served. The comrades accompanied the com¬ 
mittee to the depot. 

The comrades that participated were as follows: Past Department 
Commander Daniel Ross, Past Department Commander Ayars, A. A. Gen¬ 
eral E. A. Finley, Medical Director C. L. Jefiferis, Major Kyle of the Coun¬ 
cil of Administration of the Department, Senior Aide-de-Camp and Chief of 
Staff Charles A. Foster, Aide-de-Camp A. T. Hyatt, Aide-de-Camp Charles 
Solloway and Past Post Commander Colonel Duffy of Post 2. Mayor Willey 
and Past Department Commander Colonel Woodman were prevented from 
attending by illness. 


Fourth of July, 1891. 

The greatest demonstration ever made in Delaware on Fourth of July 
was its celebration in 1891, at the ancient city of New Castle. 

The most important event was the parade. A platoon of six police 
headed the procession, which was marshaled by Lewis E. Eliason and Aids 
Abraham Moore, B. F. Blackburn and J. Jones Jindson. Then followed 
Mayor Hanson, President Frazer and the City Council and several city 
officials in barouches bedecked with flags The First Military Band of 
twenty-three pieces came next, followed by Department Commander Wood¬ 
man and staff, G. A. R , and Captain Evan S. Watson Post, G. A. R., ac¬ 
companied by visiting comrades. All were dressed in regulation uniform. 
Flags of ’76 and flags pierced by the bullets of many battles, borne by the 
color bearers of the post marched here. . Company H, N. G. D., turned out 
about forty men under command of Captain Boyd. The men wore fatigue 
uniforms with white pants. Harmony Castle, No. 6, K. of G. E., and 
Christiana Lodge, K. G. E., followed the militiamen. The second division 
was headed by the Lenape Steam Fire Engine Company, which was the 
largest organization in line. The firemen were marshaled by Col. John J. 
Gormley. The Silsby engine, hook and ladder, truck and hose carriage 
were all extensively decorated with flags and flowers. The hook and ladder 
company, numbering 30 men, were in the rear of the fire company. They 
were headed by the city cornet band, 17 men. Then followed the beautiful 
float containing the Goddess of Liberty and burlesquers, and last was the 
sixty horsemen marshaled by Weldin Vining. Most of the riders were 
masked and wore gorgeous looking costumes 

The parade, after marching about an hour and a half, came to a halt in 
front of the High School building, on the portico of which were seated Past 
Department Commander Peter B. Ayars, of the G. A. R., the Rev. Thomas 
E. Martindale, President Wilson, of the Board of Education, and Joseph E. 
Vantine. Mr. Ayars in a stirring address presented to the public schools on 
behalf of Watson Post a magnificent flag. 

A chorus of school girls sang the “Star Spangled Banner,” at the con¬ 
clusion of which the flag was received on behalf of the Board of Educa¬ 
tion by the Rev. T. E. Martindale. The flag was then hoisted while the band 
played “We’ll Rally Round the Flag ” 

A patriotic meeting was then held on the green. The Rev P. B. Light- 
ner presided. The Rev. E. L. Brady, of St. Peter’s R, C. Church, read 
the Declaration of Independence and a speech was made by the Rev. E. L. 
Hubbard, Ph. D. 

In the evening the First Military Band gave a grand concert on the Bat¬ 
tery Grounds, and a fine display of fireworks was witnessed. 



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5 


Grand Army Gala Day. 

Nearly five thousand people assembled at Brandywine Springs, Del., on 
July 4th, 1892, to participate in or witness the services of the G. A. R. cele¬ 
bration. 

At 11:15 A. M. Past Dept. Com. P. B. Ayars, called the meeting to or¬ 
der. After the singing of patriotic songs by Wesley M. E. choir, Senator 
Higgins was introduced and delivered an eloquent address.. 

The Rev. J. B. Quigg made a brief address and proposed three cheers 
for the nation, 

The day was spent in various amusements, on the merry-go-round, to¬ 
boggan slide, boating, fishing, swinging and dancing. On the grounds is 
the historic “ Council Oak ” under which General Washington and his gen¬ 



erals held a council of war on the day before the Americans retreated to 
Chadd’s Ford, September 8 1777, In the park are many refreshing springs 
of water, which are highly commended for their health-giving properties. 

The booming of the cannon at 4 o’clock announced that a sham battle 
was about to commence. The contending forces consisted of twenty men 
and two pieces of artillery under command of Past Post Commander Rich¬ 
ard McClelland, James Zebley and Benjamin Bogia, gunners, and seventy- 
five men under Captain James Agnew. The infantry had a position near 
the woods while the battery of two guns with the support was stationed near 
the top of the plateau. 

The fight was opened by the artillery., who upon discovering the oppos¬ 
ing force under the command of Captain John Zebley, in the distance, 
opened fire. This was not responded to for some time, when finally the 
roar of musketry commenced, and the firing became hot and heavy. The 
advancing forces were driven back by the well-directed shots of the sharp¬ 
shooters supporting the battery, and victory was for the time being in the 
balance. 









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But they rallied their forces, and again advanced, only to be again re¬ 
pulsed, when the battery was moved closer towards them. Then a charge 
was ordered, and while the attention of those manning and supporting the 
guns was directed to the front, a brilliant flank movement was made by 
Captain James Agnew After a severe hand to hand fight the battery was 
captured and the victory won. 

Notwithstanding the severity of the conflict the casualities were few, 
and though several men were seen to fall in the ranks of the advancing 
forces, they seemed to revive as soon as carried to the rear, and again took 
their places in the ranks. Comrade Hahn ot Smyth Post, was struck in the 
face with a flag staff during the hand to hand conflict, but was not seriously 
injured. Comrade Nat. Bayne had three of h ; s fingers badly crushed while 
assisting to work one of the field pieces. 

The battle lasted about three-quarters of an hour, and was an excellent 
representation of a genuine fight. 

As the committee ot arrangements and the boys who took part in the 
sham battle were very tired, they were compelled to postpone the fireworks 
and the people returned early to their homes. 


Transfer of Troop B’s Armory. 

The Armory of Troop B, First Cavalry, National Guard of Delaware, 
at Twelfth and Orange streets, Wilmington, was formally opened February 
22nd, 1892. The deed tor the property was turned over to the trustees of 
Troop B Association. 

The drill room where the ceremonies took place was brilliantly lighted 
and handsomely decorated Dancing by the soldiers and guests preceded 
the reception. 

Governor Reynolds and his staff, Mayor Willey and other prominent 



















8 


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9 



citizens and officials stood near the centre of the hall when Inspector Gen¬ 
eral Richard R. Kenney stepped forward and presented the armory, the 
first military building in the State, to the trustees of Troop B Association, 
He recited briefly the history of Troop B and said the present fine building 
was due to the efforts of Captain E. L. Rice. 

Mayor Willey received the deed on behalf of the trustees and in the 
course of his remarks praised the militia and strongly commended the good 
work of Captain Rice and Troop B. 

Governor Reynolds was called for and pledged his assistance, as Gov¬ 
ernor, and bespoke for the association the assistance and encouragement of 
> the next Legislature. 

Governor Reynolds held a reception soon afterwards in the reading 
room of the Armory, General Kenney, Senator Donahoe, and Mayor Wil¬ 
ley assisting in receiving guests. 

The dancers had the floor for about half an hour, when a space was 
cleared for drill. Gatling Gun Company B, of Camden, National Guard of 
New Jersey, and known as the Sewell Guards, marched into the drill hall 
in command of Captain John R. Jones, with First Lieutenant George W. 
Garton and Second Lieutenant Harry M. Dey. 

Their uniforms of black “busbies,” red coats and blue trousers were 
very striking. They drilled perfectly, going through the full manual. The 
precision of movement, the firing and bayonet work were most effective. 


On the March. 

Troop B. First Cavalry, N. G. D., of this city, under command of 
Captain E. L. Rice, Jr., marched to New Castle to visit Company H. First 
Infantry, N. G. D., of that place, Tuesday evening, June 23d, 1891. The 
First Military band of New Castle and Company H., N G. D., marched 
out the Wilmington road and met Troop B. The troop did some maneuver¬ 
ing by the way of skirmishing and company drilling. On their arrival at 
New Castle a short parade was made. Both companies wore fatigue uniform 
and presented a soldierly appearance. 


Fraternal Yisit to Troop B 

Company D, Third Regiment, N. G. P., visited Wilmington as the 
guests of Troop B, First Cavalry, N. G. D., on May 30 and 31, 1891. The 






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II 


troop had marched Irom Philadelphia to Wilmington, stopping over night 
at Chester, the guests of Company B, Sixth Regiment, N. G. P. They were 
in command of Captain Gillespie. They wore a fatigue uniform, with brown 
leggings and broad-brimmed hats, the hats being of the same style as worn 
by the soldiers on the plains. Their uniforms were dusty, and gave them 
the appearance of having been in an actual engagement. 

They were met at the toll gate by a squad of Troop B and escorted to 
the City Hall, where they were welcomed by Mayor Harrington. From 
the City Hall the company went to Healdmoor rifle range, where they shot 
their annual match. 

The prizes were carried off by Sergeant George H. Wilbur, first; Pri¬ 
vate John Biddle, second ; James S. Elliott, third. Alfred Wright was given 
a leather medal for making the lowest score. All officers did not contest 
for the medals, as they were exclusively for the men. Speeches were de¬ 
livered by Captains Rice and Gillespie. 

On Sunday afternoon, May 31st, while at Troop B’s Armory preparing 
to return home, by request of Captain Gillespie, Adjutant-General Hart pre¬ 
sented a handsome medal to Captain E. L. Rice, of Troop B, on behalf of 
Captain Gillespie and Company D, as a token of appreciation of the hearty 
reception given them while the guests of Troop B. 

The visiting company was escorted to the boat by Troop B, where they 
were met by a detail of Company B, of Chester, who came to accompany 
Company D to Philadelphia. 


An Old Soldier’s Trip From New York to Chicago By Way of 
Washington and the B & 0. Railroad. 

All along the route, from the time you leave Communipaw Ferry, you 
have a beautiful view that abounds with attractiveness, you run close along 
the shore, in full view of the Statue of Liberty, Long Island and Staten Is¬ 
land, until you come to Bayonne and Bergen Point, on the peninsula, delight¬ 
ful places in season for boating, bathing and fishing, passing by the great 
Standard Oil Company’s works and refineries, you cross Newark Bay and 
Kill von Kull and a bridge two miles long. On the north side you can see 
the spires of Newark, on the south, the great hills of Staten Island, dotted 
with beautiful residences, passing the great sewing machine works of 
Singers, at Elizabethport. It is said to be a famous spot in the days of the 
Revolutionary struggle. Here George Washington left his coach and em¬ 
barked for New York, to be inaugurated as first president of the U. S. 
I suppose the Singer Sewing Machine works employ upward to five thous¬ 
and persons, and their buildings cover many acres of ground. At 
Elizabeth you halt at a very pretty place, which was once known as the 
capital of New Jersey, afterwards removed to Newark and then to Princeton. 
The city was named after the wife of one of the Governors of two hundred 
years ago. But few cities can boast of better railroad facilities than Eliza¬ 
beth. There are over two hundred transfers between the city and New York. 
On coming to Plainfield you find a favorite resort for solid business men of New 
York, who travel to and fro with as much ease as those who live in New 
York. It is one of the oldest towns of New Jersey, its ancient history run¬ 
ning back over one hundred and fifty years, when its first frame house was 
built in 1735. From the rock on the Orange Hills is where Washington 
kept his eye on the movements of King George’s soldiers, under General 
Howe. “ Bound Brook,” cries the brakeman ; this town is situated on the 
Raritan River, at the junction of the Central Railroad of New Jersey and 
the Philadelphia & Reading, and obtained its name from the brook east of 



12 


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J 3 


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the station, which was a land boundary in Colonial days. Bound Brook is 
a very old settlement, the name being given it 230 years ago. The first 
house was called the headquarters of Lord Cornwallis, in 1777, and of the 
notorious Colonel Simcoe. The first two-story house built there was con¬ 
sidered as putting on airs, and was called Van Norden’s Folly. The Queen’s 
Bridge was built across.the Raritan in 1731. From this point you bound 
away on the Philadelphia and Reading branch, through the beautiful and 
productive lands as far as the eye can reach, passing by many beautiful 
stations, with their tasteful surroundings of lawns and blooming gardens. 
Pennington is then reached, a delightful town of wealth and culture. Then 
comes Trenton Junction, from whence we cross the Delaware River by a 
magnificent bridge, which spans not only the river but the entire valley. 
The country hereabout is beautiful and picturesque, and the eye catches 
glimpses of many pretty bits of scenery. From Neshaminy Falls to Ger¬ 
mantown is certainly unsurpassed for natural beauty and artificial 
adornment. Leaving Girard Avenue Station you plunge into a 
tunnel for a few minutes, then you emerge into the magnificent passenger 
station of the Baltimore and Ohio. Leaving the city of Philadelphia over 
the route of the great Baltimore and Ohio, Philadelphia division, the 
traveler is much attracted by the many varied and choice bits of scenery. 
While passing on through Chester to Wilmington, over that magnificent 
structure, the iron bridge that spans the historic Brandywine, and noted for 
romantic beauty, a few minutes’ stop is made at the lovely station at Dela¬ 
ware Avenue, with its superb flower garden and beautiful view. We pass on, 
reaching Newark, one of Delaware’s beautiful towns, where a short stop is 
made while the iron horse is watered, and then we speed away, passing 
through deep cuts, over deep ravines and beautiful streams and running 
brooks, until we reach the noble and picturesque Susquehanna, over which 
we cross one of the finest railroad bridges in the country. It is a long one, 
and towers high above the trees on the island upon which part of it rests. 
The view in crossing is perfectly lovely. Fishing crafts and large vessels, the 
small tug and commodious passenger steamer, are plying to and fro, travers¬ 
ing the bold waters of the old Susquehanna. A beautiful view is obtained of 
the flats and the head of Chesapeake Bay’ and its tributaries, Northeast 
River and Elk River, also Bowl’s Mountain, Turkey Point and Specuetia 
Island, the great fishing and ducking places, and the ancient town of Havre 
de Grace. Passing on, over bridged rivers and high and beautiful 
grounds and fine farms, Canton is reached, where we are confronted 
with Baltimore Harbor. We cross over in a solid train, on the mam¬ 
moth steamer built by our enterprising Harlan & Hollingsworth Co., of 
Wilmington (noted steamship builders.) Crossing over, amid the busy ship¬ 
ping of Baltimore Harbor to Locust Point, we land at the great docks and 
pier of the Baltimore and Ohio, near the famous Fort McHenry, that de¬ 
fended Baltimore so gallantly in 1812 ; and when, in the early part of the re¬ 
bellion, we watched from our own housetop in Baltimore, to see if the old 
Star-Spangled Banner yet waved in the dawn’s early light. I feel proud to 
say it was there and stayed there. However, for a time after the 19th of 
April, things looked squally. Passing from the boat to the Camden station, 
the Baltimore station of the great Baltimore and Ohio. From here we 
pass out of the Y to the Y of the Relay house, headquarters for soldiers dur¬ 
ing the late rebellion. The beautiful station of the Baltimore and Ohio 
stands in the Y of the two tracks, in the midst of a pretty little park adorned 
with rare plants and flowers. A playing fountain and monuments are some 
of the ornaments of the grounds. On the west side the Patapsco rolls 
noisily along over a rocky bed. Passing on to the Capital, sometimes at the 
rate of a mile a minute, you pass many beautiful stations, and very, very 
many things that are pleasing and beautiful, and come to a halt in the great 


/ 


14 


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i5 


city of the nation, under the shadow of the Capitol that no traveler need err 
in finding. In transferring myself, with my duster strapped on my cabba, 
it became detached and I lost it in the transfer, not missing it until I got to 
Point of Rocks. On my arrival at Chicago I reported the fact to the pleas¬ 
ant manager of the telegraph office at Chicago. He secured it and returned 
it to me in good order. We left Washington in a vestibule train of comfort 
and excellence. The parlor cars are replete with the luxury of home. In¬ 
stead of a long journey being tiresome it becomes a pleasure. The effici¬ 
ency and management of the Baltimore and Ohio, and polite attention to its 
patrons are second to none, and it is first class in all of its equipments. 

The ‘Royal Blue Line,’ the fastest, safest and most convenient, a travel¬ 
ing wonder of combined ease, elegance and pleasure. On going west from 
the Capitol passing out of the city limits the suburban residences are de¬ 
lightful, and the towns and stations are superb all way along until you come 
in view of a large mountain standing alone ; towering away up above its 
fellows, it is called the Sugar Loaf, used by Signal Service to acquaint them¬ 
selves of the movements of the enemy during the war. Washington Junc¬ 
tion is a place of interest where the main stem goes on to Frederick and 
Elliott City. Point of Rocks was for a time the headquarters of the Fifth 
Maryland Regiment after the battle of Antietam. The grandeur and beauty 
of this road begins here, and it is a well known fact that the Baltimore and 
Ohio is a picturesque road, and it is not equalled in variety of scenery of 
mountains, valley streams, bridges or tunnels, and full of historic events. 
There are legions of incidents connected with the Potomac, Shenandoah 
and Harper’s Ferry. Here both armies contended for possession, and at 
times both being possessors and being pursuers and pursued. Old John 
Brown’s Fort in the old arsenal is still a place of interest, and in full view 
of the traveler from the car windows. At this point a beautiful piece of 
mechanism spans the old Potomac, on one side is Maryland Heights and 
that old dilapidated relic of bygone grandeur that did good service during 
the war, the Chesapeake and Ohio canal on the other side, Loudon Heights 
with its rocky ribbed walls that rise up a thousand feet above the water’s 
edge, bids defiance to the rising and swelling of the Potomac and Shenan¬ 
doah rivers. On we go until Martinsburg is reached ; here we halt for a 
time, it is one of their headquarters for engines, to be exchanged and kept 
in order, and is also a junction. But what interested me most was in 1863. 
on a beautiful day, we landed with our regiment there enroute for Winches¬ 
ter, from which point we marched. We very distinctly remember one very 
pretty morning after considerable trouble to get some fresh warm bread and 
butter and nice liver,and got it nicely cooked and ready to sit down to enjoy 
it, when General Ewell came in our front and caused the long roll to be 
beat, and we lost our rare breakfast. So we gathered all up we could and 
dumped it in our haversack. We were ordered out to support the Fifth U. 
S. Battery, and had the haversack shot off of us. Being Presbyterians in 
religion we concluded it was a predestined breakfast. On we went follow¬ 
ing the Potomac, interested with beautiful and romantic scenery, and long 
lines of mountains until Cumberland is reached, a short stop and then we 
re-crossed the Potomac and run along a beautiful and pleasant valley until 
we reached Piedmont. Taken on another engine we begin to ascend the 
bold Alleghenies. As we ascend we begin to behold a wonderful gallery 
of sublime views. No poet can describe the beauty you behold 
in this ascent or descent, neither can an artist paint this sublime scenery here. 
We find a beautiful mountain stream on the top which parts, one runs one 
way and the other runs the opposite direction, 2,800 feet above the level of 
the sea. We pass Deer Park, Mountain Lake Park and Oakland, all beau¬ 
tiful summer resorts, naturally and artificially grand. As we climbed up 
and over the Cheat river grade, scenes of surpassing beauty confronted us 


For Good 


o o 

Selected carefully for house¬ 
hold use, go to 

Geo. W. Bush & Sons Co. 

FRENCH ST. WHARF. 

Coal always under cover in 
our self-screening bins. 


All Veterans and 
Sons of Veterans 

should protect not only themselves 
but their families by carrying an 
“INVESTMENT POLICY” in 

THE MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY of Net York, 

RICHARD A. MCCURDY, President. 

Assets over $175,000,000.00. 

The Largest Company in the World. 

Send your name, age and residence 
for full particulars to 

T. HOWARD LEWIS 

General Agent for Delaware, East¬ 
ern Shore of Maryland and Virginia, 

837 MARKET STREET, WILMINGTON, DEL 






i7 


on every hand until we reached the Ohio river. Crossing over that great 
and beautiful bridge to Bellaire, we speed along passing through many 
beautiful towns of Ohio and Indiana, through a beautiful and level country 
until the lake is reached, running along the lake until Chicago is reached, 
the wonderful city of the northwest. When you go west go by the great 
Baltimore and Ohio, it is intensely interesting in scenery and delightful in 
ease and elegance in travel, periect palaces in comfort. 

Old Soldier. 


PROCEEDINGS 

OF THE 

TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT 

AND SILVER ANNIVERSARY OF THE G. A. R. AT 
DETROIT, MICH. 


In Detroit, Mich., August 4th and 5th, 1891, was held the Twenty-fifth 
Annual Encampment of the G. A. R. The Delaware delegation numbered 
81 in all. In honor of the visit of this organization the city was handsomely 
decorated with flags, festoons and bunting made into unique designs, and 
four archways spanned the principal streets. One arch was in imitation of 
marble and bore the inscription, "For Peace.” The top of the arch was 
filled with flowers brought from Florida. 

On either side of another arch, the "Triumphant,” a large cannon was 
placed and stacks of guns were arranged. Forty-four young ladies stood 
in the balconies between the marching columns and strewed flowers in the 
pathway of the marching veterans. 

A picnic and banquet was given at Belle Isle, on the Detroit River and 
here were seen beautiful beds of many hued flowers, forming the symbols of 
the various G. A. R. organizations ; arches and decorations of all kinds. 

A reception was held in the Detroit rink to General Veazey, on * the 
evening of the 4th. Among the distinguished men and women’present 
were General Alger, Ex-President Rutherford B. Hayes, Secretary Redfield 
Proctor, Governor Austin Blair, General Miles, Governor Page, General 
Peck, General Gilmore, Mayor Pingree, Senator Stockbridge, Colonel Duf- 
field, Mrs. Custer-Calhoun and Mrs. Lobdell, 

General Alger called the assemblage to order and after a few pleasant 
words of welcome he introduced R. H. Hendershott, the drummer boy of 
the Rappahanock, who gave a vivid imitation of a battle upon his snare 
drum. 

Ex-president Hayes made the first speech of the evening, and was fol¬ 
lowed by Honorable Hazen S. Pingree, Mayor of Detroit, who extended 




Dr.F.E.SMITH 

SURGEON DENTIST, 

makes the veterans look young 
when they get a set 
of' his 

NATURAL LOOKING TEETH 

AT $8 A SET. 

Teeth Extracted, 25c 
Without Pain, 50c 


ALL WORK KNOWN TO 
DENTISTRY, 

811 MARKET STREET, 

Wilmington, Del. 


The Revolution 

The revolution in house¬ 
cleaning caused by the 
introduction of Electric 
Carpet Cleaning is among 
the greatest revolutions 
of our times. Carpets 
taken up, cleaned thor¬ 
oughly, and laid without 
ripping or tearing. 

Electric 

Carpet Cleaning Works, 

409 Orange St. 

BADER & CONWAY, 

PHONE 365. Proprietors. 


JOHN F. D0NRH06, 

BOTTLER OF 

Ale, Porter, Brown Stout, Cider, 

LHCER BeeR, 

HND MINERHL WHTERS, 

Depot, 517 and 519 Orange Street. 

Sole Agent and Depot for Delaware for Bartholomay 
Brewing Co.’s Rochester Lager Beer. 

Sole Agent for Massey & Co. ’s Philadelphia Breweries, 
Massey’s Brown Stout, X, XX, XXX Ales and 
Porters. 

Orders by mail will receive prompt attention. Goods 
shipped to any port, free on board. Telephone 
No. 90. 






J 9 

the formal welcome of the city. Department Commander Eaton welcomed 
the guests on behalf of the state. 

General Alger said that when at the last national encampment, the 
Grand Army veterans said at once, “We will.” To them the City of De¬ 
troit gave a greeting no less cordial than was the invitation. To the ladies 
of the Woman’s Relief Corps General Alger extended the most tender re¬ 
gards of the city. For those who laid down their lives on the battlefield 
the general gave a touching memorial. The veterans were growing old. 
Their hairs were becoming numbered, some of them emphatically so. 
[Laughter.] General Alger thanked the veterans for coming to Detroit. If 
there was anything which Detroit had promised which had not been turned 
over General Alger instructed the veterans to go and take possession of it. 
Furthermore, if there was anything which had not been promised which 
the veterans wanted, if they could get it legally they were instructed to go 
right out and take that, also. Turning to General Veazey, General Alger 
took him by the hand and extended to him the heartiest welcome the city 
could give. He added a few words of personal appreciation to the Com- 
mander-in-Chief, and introduced him to the audience. 

Commander-in-Chief Veazey said that the first words that he saw when 
he arrived in the city were “We are glad to see you.” The Commander-in- 
Chief said that he thought that he could read the same words on the coun¬ 
tenance of every person in the city. Detroit was celebrated for its history 
in the past, and he thought that in the future it would be equally celebrated 
for its hospitality. Still more it would be celebrated for accomplishing what 
it set out to do. Two years ago Detroit presented a name as candidate for 
Commander-in-Chief, and no one had the temerity to appear against him. 
When the city asked for the encampment it succeeded in getting it by a 
vote as unanimous. General Veazey could think of nothing which might 
be asked which the city had not given. He had no doubt that the people 
of Detroit had found the veterans as ready to accept as the city was to of¬ 
fer: [Laughter] Detroit must never ask for the encampment again unless it 
really wanted it, for the offer would undoubtedly be accepted before it could 
be retracted. In conclusion General Veazey expressed the most lively feel¬ 
ings of gratitude for the welcome accorded by the city and the kind re¬ 
marks of General Alger in extending it. 

Mrs. Margaret Custer-Calhoun, a sister of General Custer, recited 
“Sherman’s Ride.” General Alger then turned the meeting over to Past 
Commander-in-Chief John P. Rea, of Minnesota, and with a number of 
dignitaries retired to Camp Sherman. 

Michigan’s War Governor Austin Blair, Redfield Proctor, Secretary of 
War, and ex-Speaker J. Warren Keiffer, of Ohio, made brief addresses. 
Mrs. Julia E. C. Lobdell, a sister of one of the men killed in the charge 
made by the First Minnesota Regiment, recited a poem commemorating 
that charge. Chaplain Lozier, the only surviving member of the encamp¬ 
ment, and former chaplain of the Grand Army, sang his latest song, “The 
Veteran’s Song.” 

The Rochester male quartet, consisting of T. W. Newcomb, James 
Rawnsley, C. H. Tomer and E. H. Miller, sang, “We Loved that Dear Old 
Flag,” a song composed by Edgar H. Sherwood. 

Many patriotic songs were sung in the course of the evening by a quar¬ 
tette accompanied by a band. 

The camp fire was closed by giving three cheers for the old flag. 

On the morning of the 5th veterans marched in grand parade which 
was viewed by 350,000 people. And this parade, on the occasion of the sil¬ 
ver anniversary of the Grand Army, was conceded to be the grandest pa- 
x ade ever given by that body of men. 


20 


T. A. Shannon's 

NEM 

DRY GOODS AND TRIMMING STORE, 

JOSEPH KERN, 

Diamonds, 

Watches and 

Jewelry, 

411 KING STREET , 

No. 707 Market St., 

WILMINGTON, DEL. 

Wilmington, Del. 

ROSIN & BRO., 

218 and 220. 

W. Second St., Wilmington, Del. 

PAPER HANGINGS 

AND 

WINDOW SHADES. 

riRJ .C. JONES, 

Manufacture! of all kinds of 

Ladies’ Chilaren’s 

Clothing, 

107 KING STREET , 

Telephone 469. 

Wilmington, Del. 

E. L. RICE, Jr., 

Architect, 
Supervisor, 
an d Designer, 

Room 503 Equitable Bldg. 

WILMINGTON, DEL. 

Joseph J. Rigby, 

RETAIL DEALER IN 

pine Cigars and Tobacco, 

Pipes, Snuff, etc* 

2000 MKRK6T ST., 

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WILMINGTON, DEL , 


LESLIE W. MEGOWEN, 

Wilmington garble and Granite Works, 


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Italian Marble Statuary, Foreign and American 

American Granite Statuary, Marble Monuments, 

Foreign and American Granite Monuments, 

KND ENCLOSURES, 

Estimates Willingly Furnished. 









21 


The sleeping sun had scarcely awakened when the usual sound of the 
reveille was heard in all parts of the city, and at 7 o’clock there was at least 
200,000 people hurrying through the streets, some to join detachments, oth¬ 
ers to secure a hasty meal and the rest to obtain some point of vantage 
from which to view the parade. An hour later and the outlaying camps be¬ 
gan sending in their detachments, and the streets were only fairly passable. 
At 9 o’clock the troops of the Grand Army began massing at the Grand 
Circus Park, and the streets along the line of march were almost impassable. 
They were packed with a dense mass of humanity, aggregating at least 
350,000 people. When the clock on the city hall chimed 10 the sight from 
the reviewing stand was almost indescribable. Every window was filled, 
the roof, the tower was teeming with people, and men clung desperately to 
the iron bars of the bell tower. Woodward avenue, from Jefferson to the 
Grand Circus Park, was a crush of people. A long, narrow lane separated 
the masses. Over all the August sun poured down a torrent of yellow light. 

It was just 10.47 when the first gun of the national salute was fired and 
the sun had just kissed the tower of the city hall good night when the last 
foot fall of the passing parade died out. 

At the close of the war there was held in Washington two grand reviews, 
in which two armies participated. Upon the first day Grant’s grand old 
army, fresh from the field of Appomattox, flushed with undying fame won 
from the defeat of the Confederacy’s first general, marched by. The soldiers 
were dressed in their best clothes and their equipments were fit for inspec¬ 
tion. As the grand army moved by, a German bishop who sat upon the re¬ 
viewing stand said: 

“There goes an army that can beat the world.” 

Upon a second day the German bishop sat upon the reviewing stand and 
saw another army march by. It was Sherman’s brave lads, famous for 
their march to the sea. They were not clad in the glittering panolpy of 
war, and the blood upon their sabres and the smoke upon their gun barrels 
had not been cleaned away. There had been no time in the grand march 
across a continent to attend to such details. The boys were clad in rags 
and many were barefoot. They carried their camp kettles and plunder 
upon their backs, and what an ovation they received as they swung down 
Pennsylvania avenue. The old bishop, when he saw this army, re¬ 
marked : “I said Grant’s army could beat the world. I can now say Sher¬ 
man’s army could lick the devil.” 

On August 5, 1891, the remnants of both those great armies were 
combined, and marched by a third reviewing stand ; Grant’s brave men and 
Sherman’s heroes marched shoulder to shoulder, and Sheridan’s and Cus¬ 
ter's lads walked side by side with the men who fought with old “Pap” 
Thomas and with Meade. But the great commanders, every one of them 
had passed away and had no place upon the reviewing stand. 

The two parades, a quarter of a century and more ago, lacked many of 
the features of this parade, when there marched in the ranks an ex-presi¬ 
dent of the United States, several governors of states, and men who had 
won stars upon the battlefield. Time levels all things, and on this day all 
were comrades from the highest to the lowest, and, “ God bless them all,” 
was the universal prayer. 

The parade from any standpoint was an unqualified success. Nearly 
every state was represented, and several territories. There were 40,000 
men in line, on a fair estimate. The day was just warm enough and a 
gentle breeze unfurled the banners but did not use them roughly. It was 
ably planned and promptly carried out. 

Dr. B. F. Stephenson founded the first Grand Army post at Decatur, 
Ills., in April, 1866, or twenty-seven years ago. General Alger past com 


22 


Wall Papers and 
Window Shades, 

O. W. EVANS, 

1 W, SECOND STREET, WILMINGTON, DEL 



flHTIST 

AND 

PHOTOGRAPHER, 

617 Market St., Wilmington, Del. 


Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company 

OF PHILADELPHIA. 

CHABTEEED 1 S-3: 7. 

Assets, $20,800,000. Surplus, $2,700,000. 

S. M. KNOX, Manager, 

Law Building, Wilmington, Del. 

JHS, MEHHRG, 

Furniture, Carpets and House Furnishing Goods, 

No. 101 East Ninth Street. 

UPHOLSTERY. LIBERAL DEALING. 



Market Street, 







2 3 


mander-in-chief, and chairman of the committee in charge of welcoming the 
boys to Michigan, had named this encampment the “Silver Anniversary,” 
• because the order had reached the quarter century mark. 


Remember the Post Room To-Niglit. 

WM. SIMMONS. 

Shipmates remember the Post Room, 

And make it your duty to call; 

Forget not to-night there’s a meeting, 

And be in your place in the hall. 

Go greet your old Shipmates with kindness; 

Go stand as we stood in the fight, 

With the touch to the left of the elbow, # 
Forget not the meeting to-night. 

There’s a genial glow in the Post room 
That elsewhere you hardly will find; 

There’s a warmth in the greeting of Shipmates 
That ties of fraternity bind. 

Those links that now bind us together 
Were forged ’mid the flame of the fight, 

So Shipmates remember the Post room, 

And go to the meeting to-night. 

Remember the dead that when living 
So bravely stood by to the last, 

And cherish the name of old Shipmates, 

That fell by your side in the past. 

Remember their widows and orphans, 

And see that their burdens are light ; 

For the sake of the dead and the living 
Go visit the Post room to-night. 

Remember the toils and the dangers 
Endured when we settled the row, 

And those that survive need our friendship, 
’Tis right we should stand by them now, 

And see that the wolf never enters 
The threshold, for the sake of the past, 

Of those that helped to save us the battle, 

And fought for the flag to the last. 

Then Shipmates remember the Post room, 

And make it a duty to go, 

And stand shoulder to shoulder 
As once when we throttled the foe. 

Salute the old flag at the altar, 

Our emblem of freedom and right, 

And cheer the boys that sustained it, 

With greetings of kindness to-night. 

Too soon will our marches be over, 

Too soon the last bugle will call, 

When death will extinguish our camp fire, 

And crown himself monarch of all. 

So Shipmates attend to the Post room, 

And see that the camp fire is bright; 

For sake of the past and present, 

Attend at the meeting to-night. 

As the Shipmates grow life worn and weary, 
They rest in the valley below. 

The road they have trod all must travel, 

God keep us all ready to go. 

“ He fought the good fight ” be our record, 
Approved be our labor of love; 

No Shipmate be absent or missing 
At last in the Post room above. 



24 


If you want a --• 

Parlor Suit, Baby Carriage 

Chamber Suit, or Refrigerator, 

or Furniture of any description go to 

L, F. ADAIR’S NEW STORE, AND a “™ T £ REETS 

and see our goods and get our prices before making your selections. 


T. J. WHITE. 

Real Estate Bought, Sold or Exchanged. 


PHILIP R. CLARK & CO., 

ICE CREAM, 


FANCY CAKES, 

REAL ESTATE AND 

and CONFECTIONERY, 

MORTGAGE BROKERS, 

706 Market St., 

830 Market Street, 

Wilmington, Del. 

WILMINGTON, DEL. 

Telephone 418. 

Loans Negotiated on City or Country Property 

STIDHAM WORK. 

JJEMOVAL. 

Dealer in 

P. M HAYES, 

Beef, Mutton, Yeal, Pork, Hams, 

Shoulders and Dried Beef. 

(goat's Sc < WziM'Vnincf$ ) 

NO. 401 MADISON ST., 

409 Madison St., 

Next Door to Lynch 4 Leary, 

ORDERS CALLED FOR AND DELIVERED 

Wilmington, Del. 

FREE OF CHARGE. 

FINE CONFECTIONS 

Hope’s 

FANCY CAKE& 

ALDERNEY 

ICE CREAM AND OYSTERS 
in Season. 

Milk, Cream, and Butter 

HOME-MADE BREAD and PIES. 

Dairy, 

S. W. BARKER, 

415 MADISON ST. 

No. 405 MADISON ST., 

Ice Cream Wholesale and Retail. 

Milk for infants and invalids 

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE. 

a Specialty. 


Telephone 651. 


BENJ. E. SHHM, 

Steam Bifefcei? and Plumfeep, 

313 and 315 Orange St., 

WILMINGTON, DEL. 











2 5 

The Last Yeteran. 

We are on the down-hill side; we are looking towards sunset; the 
shadows lengthen fast and already, to most of us, the years since we were 
mustered out seem longer, and they certainly are more numerous, than the 
years before our enlistment. 

The youngest boy, who could by any possibility have carried a gun in 
the greatest conflict ever known is far into middle life. He realizes that his 
golden prime is in the past and is warned every day by some physical 
symptom that decay has begun. It may be that his service was the shortest 
and the easiest possible; it may be that he sustained no injury and even 
gained health and strength by the open air life of the camp, as a few un¬ 
questionably did ; nevertheless by ordinary law of mortality he can count 
but a few more years at the most. 

It is probably the youngest army ever mustered out or in service. The 
boy who was then twenty-two years of age, has now but passed his fiftieth 
mile stone. The full grown man of that day is now like a bowing wall or a 
tottering fence. Their whitening locks and unsteady step speak of how 
rapidly they are drifting down life’s stream to their final muster. 

After this present year (1893) has passed, it is highly probable that the 
present pension force cannot pass cases as fast as the pensioners will die. 

How many soldiers remain we cannot tell. How many of our generals 
have passed away ! How small a proportion is with us to-day ! Grant, Sher¬ 
man, Sheridan, Thomas, McDowell, McClellan, Hancock, Meade, Burnside 
and Logan, Garfield, Hooker, Butler and many more brave, noted com¬ 
manders. 

The time is near at hand when the veterans will be but a handful in any 
neighborhood, yet there may be a few who will spin out their thread of life 
until 1930, and will feebly venture out on a pretty day. But when one 
passes by the children will stare at him in wonderment, and the mothers 
will relate what they heard their grandparents say about the way the old 
fellow looked as he came home from the war, and the old veteran'of the 
Union army will pass away, to be only known in history, and in the Silent 
City of the Dead. 


Official Yisit to Milford and Georgetown. 

Department Commander Lewis and a few of his staff went to Milford 
on Thursday, January 29th, 1891, to pay an official visit to James A. Gar¬ 
field Post. They were met by a number of comrades and taken to Central 
Hotel. They then visited the post room where at the call of the comman¬ 
der, the post was opened in due form. Speeches were made by the depart¬ 
ment commander and the visiting officers and members of the Garfield 
Post. 

The visiting party went to Millsboro’ the next day, but owing to incom¬ 
plete arrangements a post was not instituted. 

They drove on to Georgetown where they were entertained by Comrade 
Dr. Messick of Col. C. R. Layton Post, No. 18. In the evening the com¬ 
mander held a camp-fire at the residence of the doctor and a social even¬ 
ing was spent. The party returned home on Saturday. 


Official Yisit of the Department Commander to Reynolds* 
Post, No- 9, of Pleasant Hill. 

Reynold’s Post was paid an official visit on Monday, February 4, 1891, 
by Department Commander Lewis, A. A. General Stradley, P. Com- 




26 


^nnouncerrent. 

Having the confidence of the public in this city 
and state, as well as being a first-class Optician, have- 
ing given entire satisfaction to all, I will state that I 
have added to my large and well selected stock of 
spectacles, a full line of Gold and Silver Watches and 
Jewelry, consisting of Diamonds, Wedding Rings and 
Silverware of all descriptions. 

Also Repairing neatly done. Give 
me a call, and my friends can 
be assured of fair and honest 
dealing at low prices. If you 
cannot see the targets fly consult 

PROF. WEIL, 
305 MARKET ST 

DON’T FORGET C 

THE NUMBER OUO 




Established 1816 


Horstmann Brothers : 

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Catalogues and Price Lists for aii branches of the U. S. Service on application 






27 


mander Solomon, Surgeon Kendall, Charles A. Foster, Past Commander 
Norton, Past Commander Weil, Past Commander Riley and Col. Hyatt. 
These gentlemen drove from Wilmington to Pleasant Hill. 

They were entertained at the post-room of Post 9, where speeches 
were made by the above mentioned comrades and Past Department Com¬ 
mander Buckingham. After the speeches they were summoned to a mid¬ 
night lunch by the Sons of Veterans and the Daughters. 


Official Visit to Pleasant Hill. 

Department Commander A. J. Woodman and staff and a few com¬ 
rades paid an official visit to Reynolds Post, No. 9, Pleasant Hill, in De¬ 
cember 1891. An open campfire was held in the post-room and the ladies 
invited in. 

Past Commander Ayars and Comrade Charles A. Foster made an ad¬ 
dress to the young people. 

Col. McCloskey gave an interesting account of the services of the first 
company from Delaware under Captain Thomas A. Smyth, that joined the 
Twenty-fourth Pennsylvania Regiment and was ordered to Harper’s Ferry, 
and then to Western Va. p under Patterson, to resist the rebel horde in the 
early days of the rebellion. 

Colonel Samuel Macallister made an excellent speech, saying, “ I want 
you young people to keep in your mind that when an organized armed re¬ 
bellion fires on that old flag,” at the same time pointing to it, “or a foreign 
foe, you must defend it from insult or injury and maintain its national glory 
and dignity as your fathers did. It is not its colors that you are to defend, 
but by the principle of national dignity it’s the flag of a great country.” 

Other speakers were Chief Blackburn, of Wilmington, City Police De¬ 
partment, Chief of Staff Benjamin Bogia, Colonel William Voshell, Past 
Department Commander Buckingham, Comrades Whiteman, Pennock and 
Woodrow. 


A Soldier’s Last Letter. 

Take this letter to my mother, 

Far across the deep blue sea, 

It will fill her heart with pleasure, 

She’ll be glad to hear from me ; 

How she wept when last we parted. 

How her heart was filled with pain, 

When she said, “Good-bye, God bless you, 

We may never meet again,” 

Take this letter to my mother, 

It will fill her heart with j oy, 

Tell her that her prayers are answered, 

God protects her absent boy ; 

Tell her to be glad and cheerful, | 

Pray for me where’er I roam, 

And ere long I’ll turn my footsteps 
Back towards my dear old home. 

Take this letter to my mother, 

It is filled with words of love ; 

If on earth I’ll never meet her, 

Tell her that we’ll meet above, 

Where there is no hour of parting, 

All is peace and love and joy : 

God will bless my dear old mother, 

And protect her only boy. 


1 




28 


J. L KILflEIf, 

Funeral Director, 

Undertaker, 
and Embalmer, 

GRADUATE OF 

Cincinnati School of Embalming. 

The latest designs in Caskets 
and Coffins always on hand, or 
made to order, at my establish¬ 
ment. Folding Chairs furnished 
when ordered. Personal attention 
given to laying out of the dead 
by my wife, Mrs. J. R. Kilmer. 

N. HitCor. 9th and French Sts. 
Wilmington, Del. 

TELEPHONE No. 147. 


HOTEIt ItlHDEhSTHOTH, 

A. IV. LINDENSTRUTH, Prop., 

No. 103 N, Frederick Street, 

Baltimore, Md. 

* 

IMPORTER OF 

RHINE AND MOSELLE WINES. 


Spring Attractions. 
Popular Prices, 
Hats, Caps, Trunks, 
Bags. 

Rumford Bros., 
404 Market Street. 


James T. O’Connor. 

PRACTICAL 

Th? sheet Ti*on» 
Copper- 

ai-]d Sr-ags Wor-^er*? 

Roofing, Spouting and Cornice Work. 
HEATER AND RANGE 
REPAIRING. 

311 Madison Street, 

(SECOND FLOOR.) 

WILMINGTON, DEL. 









29 


The Conquered Banner of the Confederacy. 

FATHER ABRAM J. RYAN, THE POET PRIEST OF THE SOUTH, 

Furl that banner, for ’tis weary, 

Round its staff ’tis drooping dreary ; 

Furl it, fold it, it is best : 

For there’s not a man to wave it, 

And there’s not a sword to save it, 

And there’s not one left to lave it, 

In the blood-which negroes gave it, 

And its foes now scorn and brave it— 

Furl it, hide it, let it rest, 

Take that banner down—’tis tattered, 

Broken is its staff and shattered 
And the valiant hosts are scattered, 

Over whom it floated high. 

Oh ! ’tis hard for us to fold it, 

Hard to think there’s none to hold it, 

Hard that those who once unrolled it 
Now must furl it with a sigh. 

Furl that banner, furl it sadly— 

Once ten thousands hailed it gladly, 

And ten thousands wildly, madly, 

Swore it should forever wave; 

Swore that foeman’s sword could never 
Hearts like theirs entwined dissever, 

Till that flag would float forever 

O’er their freedom or their grave. 

Furl it! for the hands that grasped it, 

And the hearts that fondly clasped it, 

Cold and dead are lying low ; 

And the banner, it is trailing, 

While around it sounds the wailing 
Of its people in their woe. 

For, though conquered, they adore it. 

Love the cold, dead hands that bore it, 

Weep for those who fell before it, 

Pardon those who trailed and tore it, 

And oh! wildly they deplore it. 

Now to furl and fold it so. 

Furl that banner: true, ’tis gory, 

Yet ’tis wreathed around with glory, 

And ’twill live in song and story, 

Though its folds are in the dust; 

For its fame on brightest pages, 

Penned by poets and by sages, 

Shall go sounding down the ages. 

Furl its folds though now we must. 

Furl that banner, softly, slowly, 

Treat it gently—it is holy— 

For it droops above the dead; 

Touch it not, unfold it never, 

Let it drop there, furled forever, 

For its people’s hopes axe dead. 

SUMTER’S FIRST GUN. 

In Erie, Pa., lives a veteran who claims to have fired the first Union 
gun of the Rebellion, at Fort Sumter; one James Gibbon’s, a laborer. 
From him is procured the following interesting history of that memorable 
event. 

“It was confidently expected by the garrison of Fort Sumter that the 
rebels would fire upon che Union flag. In December, after it became known 
that Lincoln had been elected President, Captain Doubleday said, “There 
will surely be war,” and the company expected it from that time. Every 



3° 


S. SPEAKflAN, 

FUfuture? Carpets? 
£e d drns, stov$s ? etc.? 

203 W. FOURTH JT 

CUilmington, Del. 

TELEPHONE No. 721 . 


wm. h. McCullough, 

I^Supanse 

Bp©I\ei?, 

Gen’l Agent l.ive Stock, 

1005% Market St., 

Wilmington, Del. 

Residence, 

No. ii S. Clayton St. 


GREAT REDUCTIONS IN 
PHOTOGRAPHS. 

One 16x20 Crayon Portrait with one 
dozen cabinets for $4.00. 

Holland’s Gallery, 

307 MARKET ST., 
Wilmington, Delaware. 


WELL, YES, WHY DON’T YOU 
PATRONIZE 

MONTGOM ER Y, 

He patronizes you. He sells 
the best and cheapest Boots 
and Shoes in the city, you 
can find him if you want 

505 KING ST., 

UNDER THE CLAYTON HOUSE, 

MONTGO MERY. 


D- B®iss ) —> 

/Tleretyapt Jailor, 

No. 4 E. 3d Street, 

Wilmington, Del. 


GO TO - 

HOLLIS’, 

No. 227MARKET STREET, 
It is the best place. 

MAURY JAHES, 

Hardware, 
Cutlery and Tools, 

No. 316 KING STREET, 

WILMINGTON, DEL. 

E. B. EVANS, 

PAPER HANGINGS 
and WINDOW SHADES, 

313 W. Second St., 

Wilmington, Del. 










3* 


day for weeks the rebels were making preparations in plain sight of the 
fort. Then the Star of the West had been fired upon.” 

“The feelings and sensations of the men on that momentous day were 
none but the usual sensations among men. There was no excitement. 
Four men were playing at poker when a shell came screaming over the par¬ 
apet and burst, one-half striking the wall alongside, and the burning powder 
singeing the beard of one of the men, so near was it to him. The only effect 
it produced, beyond the momentary start, was to set the men swearing as 
they got up and dragged their outfit further under a bomb proof.” 

“ On that memorable day, the 12th of April, 1861, the first gun was fired 
from Fort Johnson at about 5 o’clock in the morning. It was expected, for 
word to that effect had been communicated to them. Soon the first boom 
and roar was succeeded by another, from Fort Moultrie, and then the shot 
and shell came thick and fast until 360 shots had been fired at them. For 
two hours Sumter was silent. The ports were not opened until 7 o’clock. 
Captain Doubleday’s company rammed two guns on the lower floor of the 
fort and aimed toward Cummings point. He was a member of the party in 
charge of gun No. 1, a 42-pounder, and Gibbons himself was No. 3 of the 
gun squad. His duty was to pull the lanyard. The gun was sighted by 
Captain Doubleday, and when everything was in readiness, the captain; 
standing about two feet behind him, issued the command “Fire !” Gibbons 
pulled the lanyard and Fort Sumter and the Union broke silence. Defi¬ 
ance had been hurled back at the Rebel crew. In two seconds more gun 
No. 2 spoke and-then the music was kept up from the Union fort in reply to 
the bombardment from nearly every side.” 

“Many were the brave deeds witnessed that day. A laborer, Carroll by 
name, picked up a burning bomb as it was rolling down the steps after him, 
and coolly threw it into the ditch outside and extinguished the smoking fuse; 
a few moments more and half the garrison would have doubtless been killed 
by the explosion.” 

“The halyard of the flagstaff had become so knotted that it prevented 
the raising of the flag, and another laborer named Donohoe, mounted to the 
topmast and repaired it, regardless of the fact that he was the target for 
every rebel battery. Norman J. Hall, of Detroit, replaced a broken flag¬ 
staff at great risk of his life.” 

“There was 69 soldiers who survived the bombardment (two were 
killed while firing the national salute at the time the fort was evacuated) be¬ 
side the laborers, who were really the first volunteers of the war.” 

An Order Never Carried Out- 

General Orders ,} Headquarters of the Army. 

No. 16. J Washington, D. C„ Sept. 3, 1861. 

The general-in-chief is happy to announce that the treasury depart¬ 
ment, to meet future payments to the troops, is about to supply besides coin, 
as heretofore, treasury notes in fives, tens and twenties, as good as gold at 
all banks and government offices in the United States, and most convenient 
for transmission by mail from officers and men to their families at home. 
Good husbands, fathers, sons and brothers, serving under the stars and 
stripes, will thus soon have the ready and safe means of relieving an im¬ 
mense amount of suffering which could not be reached with coin. 

In making up such packages every officer may be relied upon, no doubt, 
for such assistance as may be needed by his men. 

By command of Lieutenant-General Scott. 

[Signed.] E. D. Townsend, 

Assistant Adjutant General. 

Were the notes as good as gold ? Have they ever been made so ? And 
yet it was part of the contract under which we served. A, J. Woodman, 
Post Department Commander, Delaware, G. A. R., 1891. 


3 2 


» 


UNDERSTAND 


THE 

OTHELLO 

RANGE 

Has no Superior. 

THE BAY STATE AND 
TORRID 


Equal the Best. 


J. C. Johnson <S Son, 

225 MARKET ST,, 
Wilmington, Delaware. 

sell them, and employ 
the best of workmen 
in fitting them up. 


DIAMOND STATE OIL CO, 

Cor, Front and Market Sts., 

WILMINGTON, DEL. 

Wholesale and Retail Delayers in 



Animal and Vegetable Oils, 
Sperm. Neatsfoot, Caster 
and Fish Oils. 


J. R. HUDSON & CO, 

15 and 17 Market Street, 

WILMINGTON, DEL.. 

Steel, Coal and Dirt Barrows. Canal, 
Stone and Mortar Barrows. 


jGnn n. mm\ 

Undertaking 

Parlors, 

200 W. Seventh St., 

Wilmington, Del. 

Telephone 746. 


Wise Men Insure their 

Stock. 

The best Company is the 

Delaware Live Stock In¬ 
surance Company. 

It is the only Dive Stock 
Insurance Co. incorpor¬ 
ated in Delaware. It is 
controlled by men whom 
you know. Its rates are 
as low as the lowest, and 
it pays its losses promptly 
and without quibbling. 

It pays to insure Try it 
once and you will be con¬ 
vinced. 

HOME OFFICE I 

No. 1005% MARKET ST., 
Wilmington, Del. 

Henry C. Conrad, Pres. 
Jos. H. Chambers, Sec . 















1881 TO 1893. 


HISTORY 


—OF THE— 


G. A. R., Department of 
Delaware, 

WITH SPECIAL MENTION OF THE DEPART¬ 
MENT OF MARYLAND. 



Re-unions, Reminiscences of Regiments, Camp-fires, 
National Guard, etc. 

B y / 

CHARLES A. FOSTER, 

Department Historian, 

Wilmington, Del. 

Office of Historian, Copyright. 1893. 

No. 1 West 7TH Street. all rights reserve 















34 


4 


Preface. 

There are many excellent books in the world written for the purpose of 
leading young people. They all have their mission and are all contributing 
their meed of help in preparing our youth. Yet, many of them are written 
in a spirit or in a style as to be without attraction sufficient to command th# 
attention of the youth on the line of real national patriotism. 

With all of the books that have been written on the late war, they 
failed to serve the purpose for which they were intended—to thoroughly 
arouse the young to love their country as their fathers did. 

Many of the private soldiers who shared most of the hardships of our 
late civil war have long thought that a volume made attractive by practical 
experience of known veterans and stalwart patriots who never failed to deal 
a blow at rebellion in its mildest or severest form, would interest them. 

And with illustrations we recall the realistic camps and battle scenes, 
the force march; the fording of the rivers and the climbing of mountains. 
We do this while many of the participants are still living to confirm it 
as truth, and thus appeal more directly to the young mind; increase the in¬ 
terest in their country and its defence, and to instill into their hearts an in¬ 
tense love for that emblem known in our late war as “Old Glory.” Read its 
history, and then let every American feel proud of his country’s matchless 
flag. 

I would appeal to the youth to seek to be patriots with greater zeal than 
they would seek culture or position. Our President of to-day may be ad¬ 
mired and sought by men because he holds a cornucopia filled with offices 
and the highest gift of the nation, and for this honor any man should be 
proud indeed. But the veteran enjoyed a privilege that far exceeds his 
honor in many ways. While he has many excellent qualities, the veterans 
possess one that he lacks. Years ago, they stood upon the battlefields of the 
great civil war and faced death amid the cannon's roar and the whistling 
bullets. The President enjoys no such happy reminiscences of deeds of 
valor and bravery. 

The veteran fought for his country, every Memorial day tells 
this; it cannot be said of those who were not there. When the veterans 
are silently laid away in some obscure grave yard, and the butter-cup and 
the daisies and the clover spring up, telling the children that their fathers 
were heroes. It cannot be said of those who were not amid these scenes of 
battle. " 

The young men must fill the place of the veterans who passed through, 
the baptism of fire and blood, and cemented this union firmly together, when 
they shall answer the last roll-call. They must be prepared for this, with 
their hearts and hands in readiness to serve their country. 

More than a year ago, the responsibility of this work was placed upon 
me, but editorial and other duties have prevented me from completing it. 
Having spent all my spare time upon the accomplishment of this purpose, 
suffice is it to say success has been attained. I have not the vanity to pre- 
ume that I have equalled or excelled any of the historians, yet I sincerely hope 
as I send forth my unpretending book, that it may be a modest messenger 
of patriotism to the hundreds of our great Nation’s youths. 

Charles A. Foster. 


35 


Eli Crozier. 



Life and Public Services of Eli Crozier. 

He was born in Wilmington, Del., Feb. 23, 1803. Died March 10, 1886. 
He was the son of John and Mary Crozier of good old Revolutionary stock; 
his grand-father served as a soldier in the war of the American Revolution 
and his brother Thomas lost his life at Malvern Hill in 1862, in the war of 
the Rebellion, fighting for the old flag. In early life, Eli was actively en¬ 
gaged in business, as a railroad and canal contractor. When quite a young 
man a large fire occurred at New Castle in this county, in extremely Cold 
winter ‘weather and Eli went over with the hand fire engines from Wilming¬ 
ton and labored zealously to put out the fire. While working at the fire en¬ 
gine, his clothing became thoroughly saturated with water and he was soon 
clad in a sheet of ice, in which condition he labored until the fire was put 
out. In this philanthropic act of saving the property of his fellows, he con¬ 
tracted a severe cold, which caused him to be extremely deaf thereafter. 
In early life he was a very active Whig politician and took a very promi¬ 
nent part in the Harrison and Clay campaign of 1840 and 1844. 

Mr. Crozier was an ardent admirer of Henry Clay with whom he was 
personally acquainted. The Henry Clay Club of this city, who went to the 
convention that nominated Mr. Clay for the Presidency all wore white hats 
and Eli Crozier feeling sanguine of Mr. Clay’s election, declared he would 





3 6 

never use anything on his head but a white hat until Henry Clay was Pres¬ 
ident. Mr. Clay was defeated and Mr. Crozier wore a white hat until the 
day ol his death. From the death of Abraham Lincoln Mr. Crozier wore 
a wide band of black crape around his white hat. When Mr. Lincoln was 
assassinated Mr. Crozier was at New Castle visiting the family of R. C. 
Fraim, Esq , then Register of Wills of New Castle County. When the news 
arrived of President Lincoln’s assassination, Mr. Crozier asked Mrs. Fraim 
to drape his white hat with black crape, exclaiming “I shall wear that badge 
of mourning for that great and good man whilst 1 live.” Mrs. Fraim placed 
the black crape on his hat immediately, and it remained there up to the day 
of his death. 

He was very popular with the masses of our citizens and he was twice 
elected Coroner of New Castle County. At one time he was the only Whig 
elected in this county. When the Republican Party was organized he be¬ 
came a zealous Republican politician. Eli was a thorough American, and 
for many years prior to his death, he celebrated the anniversary of the Bat¬ 
tle of Brandywine on the banks of that historic river. 

At the breaking out of the Civil War he took an active part in the defense 
of the government and nothing but his extreme deafness prevented him at 
his advanced age, from shouldering his musket and going to the front. He 
visited the battle field and assisted in caring for the wounded soldiers, and 
during the continuance of the war, and for years thereafter, he raised and 
righteously expended large sums of money for food and clothing for the 
widows and orphans of deceased soldiers, and for the wives and children 
of many brave men, who had entered the United States Army without leav¬ 
ing any means to supply their families with food and raiment whilst they 
themselves were fighting to defend the old flag. No truer patriot 
than Eli Crozier was ever born, he was always ready to share 
his last dime to aid these distressed widows and orphans, and 
hundreds of such would have suffered during the war if Mr. Crozier had 
not raised many voluntary contributions from the patriotic men and women 
of this city and surrounding country for their sustenance and support. 
After the close of the war an association was formed, principally from old 
soldiers, and it was duly incorporated under the title of the “Soldiers and 
Sailors Monument Association,” the object being to erect a monument on 
Delaware avenue near Broome street, in honor of Delaware’s patriotic dead. 
The committee in charge proceeded with the work, and the marble shaft 
was erected, surmounted by an eagle, cast from condemned brass cannons, 
presented to the association by the United States Government for that pur¬ 
pose. Several entertainments were given to raise funds to pay for the work 
as far as it was done, but unfortunately for th§ association but a small 
amount of money was raised, and the work of grading, sodding, curbing, 
paving and enclosing the grounds was abandoned. The large triangular 
mound of earth between Delaware avenue and Fourteenth street, was very 
irregular and unsightly ; the creditors had grown tired of waiting for their 
money for the creation of the monument, and suits were entered and judg¬ 
ments obtained thereon, and the monument was advertised to be sold at 
Sheriff sale, to pay the cost of its erection. When the first announcement 
was published in the Daily Republican, that the “ Soldiers and Sailors Mon¬ 
ument” was to be sold at Sheriff sale, Mr, Crozier was in the law office of 
R. C. Fraim, Esq. Mr. Fraim called Mr. Crozier’s attention thereto. On 
reading it, the old man’s indignation was thoroughly aroused, and his patri¬ 
otism caused him to immediately exclaim: “Fraim; this shall never be 
done ! This monument erected in memory of the brave sons of Delaware 
shall never be sold whilst Eli Crozier lives ! I will raise the money and pay 
every dollar of the debt. Delaware shall never suffer the disgrace of hav¬ 
ing the Soldiers Monument sold.” He then asked Mr. Fraim to immedi- 


37 



ately prepare a subscription paper for him headed, ‘ ‘ The Soldiers and Sailors 
Monument of Delaware in the Sheriff’s grasp. It must not, it shall not, be 
done while Eli Crozier lives !” Mr. Fraim prepared the subscription paper 
immediately, and liberally contributed to this worthy and patriotic object. 

Mr. Crozier then asked Mr. Fraim who the attorney was that was em¬ 
ployed to sell this monument for the debts contracted in its erection. He 
informed him that Charles B. Lore, Esq., was the plaintiff’s attorney. Mr. 
Crozier replied, “ I will call on Charley at once and have this sale stopped.” 
He went immediately to Mr. Lore’s office, asking him to stop the sale, 
pledging his honor that he would collect and pay over every dollar due the 
association, and enough beside to grade and sod the mound, curb and pave 
the sidewalks, enclose the grounds with a neat fence, and plant shade trees 
around the same so that a deed could be obtained therefor. Mr. Lore con¬ 
sented to do so immediately, knowing that Mr. Crozier would do everything 
he stated ; and to the great credit of Mr. Lore, he immediatly contributed to 
Mr. Crozier the sum of $25.00 for that purpose. Nearly $3,000 was required 
to pay old debts, and complete the enclosure and decoration of the grounds, 
and Mr. Crozier, in the extreme summer’s heat, travelled on foot over nearly 
all of.the entire State, from the Rocky Hills of Brandywine Hundred to the 
Sandy Shore of Baltimore Hundred in Sussex County, and paid every dol¬ 
lar due to everv man who had worked on the monument or furnished ma¬ 
terial for its construction, and on the base of the monument to-day is 
chiseled in granite the thanks of the association to Mr. Crozier for his patri¬ 
otic services. 

When Mr. Crozier took the matter in hand of paying off the monument 
debt, a new board of directors was elected for the Monument Association: 
Washington Jones, President, and Robert C. Fraim, Esq., Secretary, and 









38 

they fill those two important offices to the present time. They both aided 
Mr. Crozier in his patriotic efforts to save Delaware the disgrace of having its 
Soldiers and Sailors Monument sold by the Sheriff for the payment of the ex¬ 
penses of its erection. The next Decoration Day thereafter, in an oration 
delivered by Mr. Fraim, in the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery, he 
handed over to Mr. Jones the deed of the Monument Grounds freed and 
discharged from all debts, which Mr. Jones, in a neat speech accepted on 
behalf of the trustees, which had been duly recorded. 

On Mr. Fraim handing Mr. Crozier the deed for the monument grounds 
on the previous day, exclaiming, “Well, Eli, it is all right at last,” that good 
patriotic old man, with tears coursing down his aged cheeks, exclaimed as 
he grasped Mr. Fraim firmly by the hand, “Now, Bob, I am ready to die, 
and I can now say with good old Simeon : ‘Now let Thy servant depart in 
peace, for mine eyes have seen’ the monuments salvation.” Mr. Crozier was 
now becoming quite feeble from age, and he did not long survive there¬ 
after. 

His funeral was a public one, and one of the largest ever seen in this 
city. It was attended by the Grand Army Posts, military companies in uni¬ 
form, both of which he was an honorary member, as well as an honorary 
member of Admiral du Pont Post of the G. A. R. of Phila. At his funeral 
were citizens of this city, soldiers, soldiers’ widows and orphans, who will 
ever cherish the memory of this good man, who aided them in an hour of 
great need and distress. He was buried with the honors of war ; his coffin 
was draped with the flag of his country he loved so well. 

At his special request Robert C. Fraim, Esq., delivered his eulogy at 
his grave at the time of his funeral, and also delivered an oration at the un¬ 
veiling of a handsome granite monument on the next Memorial day, which 
had been erected over his remains in the Wilmington and Brandywine 
Cemetery, by voluntary contributions. Annually his grave is strewn with 
the choicest flowers by his surviving friends. This good old man has passed 
from labor to reward.—“Peace to his ashes.” 


History of the Grand Army of the Republic in Delaware. 

On Thanksgiving Day in November, 1879, a banquet was given in the 
City Hall, in the City of Wilmington, Delaware, by that good, old life-long 
patriot, Eli Crozier, to the survivors of the old veterans who were incarce¬ 
rated as prisoners of war at Andersonville, Richmond, and in other rebel 
prisons during the rebellion of 1861 and 1865. After the inner man had 
been abundantly supplied by the good things spread before them by Mr. 
Crozier and his able corps of lady assistants, a public meeting was immedi¬ 
ately organized in the City Hall, and on motion of Mr. Crozier, Robert C. 
Fraim, Esq., was selected as president of said meeting. This meeting was 
largely attended by army veterans and their families, and stirring patriotic 
addresses were made by Mr. Fraim, Mr. John Carroll, Mr. Peters and 
others. 

Previous to the adjournment of this meeting, Mr. Fraim, in an earnest, 
forcible, patriotic address, advocated the organization of a Grand Army 
Post in Wilmington, without delay, so that the late comrades in arms would 
have a suitable place to meet for social intercourse and mutual improve¬ 
ment , and also to look after and care for all worthy distressed comrades 
and their widows and orphans. This proposition of Mr. Fraim was unani¬ 
mously endorsed by a rising vote of the audience, and he, as chairman of 
said meeting was directed to take the necessary steps to accomplish this ob¬ 
ject. 

At that time General Louis E. Wagner, of Philadelphia, who had been 





39 



Robert C. Fraim, Esq. 


Commander of Provisional Department, of the G. A. R., of Delaware. 

an intimate friend of Mr. Fraim for many years past, was the Commander 
of the State Department of the G. A.. R., in the State of Pennsylvania. Mr. 
Fraim, without delay, put himself in correspondence with General Wagner 
in reference to the organization of a Grand Army Post in Delaware. Mr. 
Wagner heartily endorsed Mr. Fraim’s views, and he at once placed Mr. 
Fraim in communication with General Earnshaw, of Dayton, Ohio, who was 
then Commander-in-Chief of the G. A. R. in the United States; without de¬ 
lay, thereafter, Mr. Fraim proceeded to get applications for charter mem¬ 
bers, and in a very few days afterward applications were received by him 
from sixty-nine veterans to be enrolled and mustered in as charter members. 
At the special instance of Mr. Fraim, General Earnshaw deputized General 
Wagner to muster in the first Grand Army Post of the present department 
of the G. A. R. in Delaware. 

An upper room in a building known as “The Bakers’ Union,” on Fourth 
Street, near Walnut, was designated as the place of meeting and December 
12, 1879. date. On this day Commander Wagner and Adjutant-General 
Robert B. Beath, of the Department of Pennsylvania, accompanied by Mr. 
Fraim met the applicants to become charter members at the place above 
mentioned. The veterans there assembled all proved to have been hono¬ 
rably discharged soldiers during or at the close of the rebellion of 1861 and 
1865. After being mustered in by the department officers of the Pennsyl- 







40 


vania Department, on motion of Mr. Fraim, the first post was named Thomas 
A. Smyth Post No. i, of the G. A. R. for the Department of Delaware, in 
honor of General Thomas A Smyth, of Delaware, who sacrificed his life in 
defense of his country in front of Petersburgh, Virginia, within but a few 
hours previous to the surrender of the rebel General Lee, which closed the 
war in 1865. Within a few days after the mustering in of Smyth Post, Mr. 
Fraim received his commission as Provisional Department Commander of 
the Grand Army of the Republic for Delaware, from Commander-in-Chief 
General Earnshaw at Grand Army Headquarters, Dayton, Ohio, which posi¬ 
tion Comrade Fraim held up to the organization of the permanent State De¬ 
partment of Delaware, on January 14,1881. Commander Fraim appointed 
his staff officers as follows to-wit: Senior Vice-Commander, John Wain- 
wright; Junior Vice-Commander, Joshua S. Valentine; Assistant Adjutant- 
General, William S. McNair; Quartermaster General, William Y. Swiggett. 

The meeting for forming the permanent State Department of Delaware, 
convened January 14th, 1881, in the post room of Admiral S. F. Dupont 
Post No. 2, G. A. R.. Wilmington. Commanded Fraim called the meeting 
to order and presided. Permanent officers were duly elected at this meet¬ 
ing and they were immediately installed into their respective offices by Gen¬ 
eral Wagner and his Assistant Adjutant-General Robert B. Beath, they hav¬ 
ing been detailed by the Commander-in-Chief for that purpose. During 
the administration of Provost Department Commander Fraim, covering a 
period of thirteen months, there had been six posts mustered in, in Dela¬ 
ware, and the Grand Army of the Republic was firmly planted and estab¬ 
lished in the State. During his term as Provost Department Commander, 
he often expressed to his staff officers and his comrades, that owing to his 
arduous professional business, it was utterly impossible for him to devote as 
much time and attention, as he desired to do, to further the advancement of* 
the interest of the Grand Army in Delaware. It was, however, no small 
thing, in a small State like Delaware, for him, in the space of thirteen 
months, from the date of his appointment as Commander of the Provisional 
Department, to turn over to his successor in office, six posts well organized 
and thoroughly equipped for Grand Army work in this State. During this 
whole time, as such Commander, he furnished the stationery and postage 
stamps for the department, and also paid all of his traveling expenses out of 
his own funds ; he did not use one penny of the money for himself that was 
received for charters or the per capita tax paid in by the six posts. His only 
object and aim was to advance the interest of the Grand Army of the Re¬ 
public and place it on a firm basis, in this his native State, as it had been 
done at that time in many of her sister states, an*d this object he thoroughly 
accomplished. The Grand J Army of the Republic in Delaware, to day, owes 
him a debt of gratitude for the services he has rendered to the same. 

Since his retirement from the office of Provisional Department Com¬ 
mander in 1881, he has been called upon by four of the Past State Depart¬ 
ment Commanders, to fill the position of Judge Advocate General of this 
Department, during their respective terms of office, which office he has filled 
with credit to himself and to the Department of Delaware. 


PAST DEPARTMENT COMMANDERS. 

W. S. McNair, Post 1, Wilmington, Del., 1881. 

John Wainwright, Post 2. Wilmington, Del., 1882. 

Daniel Ross, Post 1, Wilmington, Del., 1883. 

Charles M. Carey, Post 11, Wyoming, Del., 1884. 

J. S. Litzenburg, Post 2, Wilmington, Del., 1885. 



4i 


John M. Dunn, Post i, Wilmington, Del., 1886. 

John E. Mowbray, Post 3, Dover, Del., 1887. 

R. G. Buckingham, Post 9, Pleasant Hill, Del., 1888. 
Peter B. Ayars, Post 2, Wilmington, Del., 1889. 
Samuel Lewis, Post 1, Wilmington, Del., 1890. 

A. J. Woodman, Post 23, Wilmington, Del., 1891. 
George W. Stradley, Post 17, Bridgeville, Del., 1892. 
[Deceased : W. S. McNair, John M. Dunn.] 


DEPARTMENT OFFICERS, 1893. 

Commander, Benjamin D. Bogia, Wilmington, Del. 

Senior Vice Commander, Jason B. Simmons, Harrington, Del. 
Junior Vice Commander, C. M. Dodd, Middletown, Del. 
Department Chaplain, Jacob Lamplugh, Wilmington, Del. 
Medical Director, E. G. Shortlidge, Wilmington, Del. 


DEPARTMENT STAFF 

Assistant Adjutant General, Edgar A. Finley, Wilmington. Del. 
Assistant Quarter Master General, M. B. Fowler, Wilmington, Del. 
Department Inspector, Wm. Kelley, Jr., Wilmington, Del. 

Judge Advocate, Samuel A. Macallister, Wilmington, Del. 

Chief Mustering Officer, Wm. A. Deisen, Wilmington, Del. 

Assistant Department Inspector, Thos. H. Peters, Wilmington, Del. 
Council of Administration. Jno. Devnish, Post 1, J. M. Banthem, Post 13, 
Chas. W. Sollaway, Post 2, John W. Jolls, Post 22, John P. Donahoe, 
Post 23. 


REPRESENTATIVES TO NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT. 

Delegate-at-Large, Samuel J. Wood, Post 1. 

Alternate-at Large, Moses Bullock, Post 13. 

Delegate, John W. Jolls, Post 22. 

Alternate, Jos. S. Booth, Post 2. 


Riograpliy of Col. John Wainwright. 

Colonel John Wainwright was born in Syracuse, New York, July 13, 
1839. He is a descendant of the Wainwrights and Forces, long settled in 
Monmouth County, New Jerse/. His name and stock have long been 
known as having its representatives in the army and the navy of the United 
States; and they have a history as patriots, soldiers and sailors of the Revo¬ 
lution and later wars. 

At the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861, Col. Wainwright’s tradi¬ 
tional blood made him a private in Co. G, 2d Regiment Pennsylvania Vol¬ 
unteer Infantry, for three months. He inlisted April 16, 1861, and was 
honorably discharged July 26, 1861, having participated in the Shenandoah 
campaign with the column of General Patterson. 

He re-enlisted as a private in Co. F, Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Vol¬ 
unteer Infantry, September 23, 1861. at West Chester, Pa., and began a 
military career which has but few parallels in the records of the war of the 
rebellion, in that he came home, at the close of the war, a colonel command- 






42 



Past Department Commander John Wainwright, Delaware G. A. R. 

ing the same regiment, which four years before received him in one of its 
companies as a private soldier, having in the meantime been promoted step 
by step, through every grade of intermediate rank. He never sought pro¬ 
motion, and as an evidence of the appreciation in which his services were 
held by his superior officers, every step of his military advancement was un¬ 
solicited. He was in the war from first to last, serving fifty-one months. 

Colonel Wainwright first found himself in command of his regiment on 
August 25, 1864, in front of Petersburg, while yet a first lieutenant, and he 
continued in command until the close of the war. At his final discharge in 
August, 1865, he was in command of the post at Weldon, N. C., and the 
district thereabouts. 

Colonel Wainwright was appointed 1st Sergeant October 3, 1861 ; 2d 
Lieutentant, January 10, 1862; Captain, November 1st, 1864; Captain and 
Major by brevet; Lieutenant-Colonel, January -15, 1865, and Colonel, June 
I, 1865. 

He was awarded the “Medal of Honor” by Act of Congress, for gallant 
and meritorious conduct, while in command of his regiment at the storming 
of Fort Fisher, N. C., January 15, 1865, and was honorably mentioned in gen¬ 
eral orders for conspicuous gallantry at the battle of Charles City, Cross 
Roads, October 7, 1864. 

Colonel Wainwright was twice severely wounded; at James Island, S. 
C., June 12, 1862, and at Fort Fisher, N. C., January 15, 1865. 

Colonel Wainwright participated in the expedition to Port Royal, S. C., 
December, 1861 ; seige and capture of Fort Pulaski, Ga.; capture of Fort 
Church, Fernandino and Jacksonville, Fla,; occupation ofEdisto Island and 
James Island, S. C., June 10 and 16, 1862; re-occupation of James Island, 
S. C.; siege of Forts Wagner, Gregg, Sumpter, Moultrie and Johnson ; cap¬ 
ture of Forts Wagner and Gregg in 1863; capture of Camps Cooper, Wood- 
stock Mills and Kings Ferry in Florida; capture of Bermuda Hundred, City 
Point, Va.; battles of Swift Creek, Proctor’s Creek, Fort Darling, Drewy’s 
Bluff, Chester Station, Green Plains, Cold Harbor, Petersburg Heights, Cem- 



43 


etery Hill, explosion of mine, siege of Petersburg, siege ot Richmond, Straw¬ 
berry Plains, Charles City Road, Bottom Creek, Darlztown Road, Fort 
Fisher, Sugar Loaf Hill; capture of Fort Anderson, of Wilmington, N. C., 
battle of Bentonville, capture of Raleigh and surrender of Johnson in 1865. 

Colonel Wainwright served in the Tenth, Eighteenth and Twenty-fourth 
Army Corps; in the Army of the South; Army of the James; Army of the 
Potomac and Army of the Ohio, in the states of Virginia, North Carolina, 
South Carolina and Florida. 

He has been a citizen of Wilmington, Del., since the close of the war, 
and has always taken an interest in military affairs and an active interest in 
the Grand Army of the Republic. He was a member of the original Smyth 
Post, Department of Delaware, and was Department Commander in 1882, an 
office to which he was unanimously elected ; has served on the staff of Com- 
mander-in-Chief Louis Wagner and George Merrill. 

Colonel Wainwright is also a member of Encampment 34, Union Vet¬ 
eran Legion, and also a member of the Washington Commandent, Military 
Order of the Loyal Legion, and of the Medal of Honor Legion. At the 
Municipal election held in the city of Wilmington, June 3, 1893, he was 
elected Councilman to represent the Fifth Ward of the city. At the present 
time he is the Senior Past Department Commander of Delaware. 



Daniel Ross, 

Past Department Commander, of Delaware, G. A. R. 

Mr. Ross spent his early life in the central part of New York State, was 
educated at Fairfield Seminary, Herkimer county, N. Y., taught District 
schools for five years till the war of the rebellion broke out. He enlisted in 
Independent Company of Acting Engineers in Philadelphia, August 12th, 
1862, passed through all the grades from private to quartermaster and orderly 


44 

sergeant of his company, which position he filled when discharged at the 
end of the war. 

His time during the war was occupied with his company at Harper's 
Ferry and with the Army of the Potomac, except the summer of 1864, when 
he was on detached duty as assistant to Lieutenant Meig s, Chief Engineer 
of the Department of West Va., on General Sigel’s staff, when he was de¬ 
feated at the battle of New Market, and on General Hunter’s staff on his 
raid to Lynchburg, and subsequent retreat over the mountains of West Vir¬ 
ginia to Ohio. 

He has been an active member of the G. A. R. since its first organiza¬ 
tion, was Commander of Post No. 79. of Pennsylvania in 1869, and Depart¬ 
ment Commander of Delaware in 1883. He has attended all the National 
Encampments of the G. A. R., including and since that held at Baltimore 
and was with the boys in Washington. He is a member of Thomas A. 
Smyth Post, No. 1, of this State, and of Encampment 34, U. V. L. 



Past Department Commander R. G. Buckingham of Delaware G. A. R. 

Biography of R. G. Buckingham. 

R. G. Buckingham was born August I, 1841 in Pleasant Hill, Mill Creek 
Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware. He received a common school 
education and learned the trade of a carpenter, at which he was working 
when the war of the rebellion broke out. He enlisted as a private in Co. E, 
4th Regiment, Delaware Volunteers, on August n, 1862, and was appointed 
2nd Sergeant of that company. 



45 


When the regiment went to Washington in November, 1862, he was 
made 1st Sergeant. He participated in all the various engagements with 
his regiment; was wounded in the face in front of Petersburg, when he was 
promoted sergeant-major. At the battle of White Oak Roads, on March 31, 
1865, he was wounded in the ankle, which ball he carries to this day. 

On May 3, 1865, Mr. Buckingham received a commission as First Lieu¬ 
tenant of Co. E, from Governor Saulsbury. He was mustered out of service 
at Wilmington. Del., on June 3, 1865, and returned to his native home and 
engaged in farming. Served 15 years as a member of the school board of 
his hundred and was elected a member of the Levy Court of New Castle 
county in 1890, which court met on February 3, 1891, when he was elected 
president of that body; and re-elected president in 1892. 



Past Department Commander Samuel Lewis. 


Biography of Samuel Lewis. 

Samuel Lewis was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., April 22, 1843. 
He removed to Wilmington with his parents in March, 1849, and attended 
the public schools until 1858. He then applied himself to the brickmaking 
business until the breaking out of the war, 1861. 

t -"-'He enlisted the last day of May, 1861, in the First Delaware Regi¬ 
ment of three-months’ men, serving his full time. He re-enlisted in the 
Fourth Delaware Regiment, Co. D, August 9. 1862, and was promoted to 
Second Sergeant. He participated in every battle with this regiment, save 












one; at Bethesda Church, before Petersburg, at Rowanty River, White Oak 
Roads, Hatcher’s Run, Five Forks, Appomattox Court House. He was 
mustered out of service June 3, 1865, at Arlington Heights by the reason of 
the expiration of his term. . 

Comrade Lewis again entered the business of brick-making and ,has 
been foreman for the J. H. Beggs & Co., brick makers for 25 years. He is 
a charter member of Thomas A. Smyth Post and among its most active 
members. He is also a member of Encampment 34, U. V. L. 




Past Department Commander Col. A. J. Woodman. 

Autobiography of Past Commander A. J. Woodman. 

Col. A. J. Woodman was born in Buxton. Maine, June 18, 1829. He 
comes from a family of soldiers ; his great-grandfather having been an officer 
in the Provinced Militia of Maine; his grandfather a private in the war of the 
Revolution, and his father was a lieutenant and Assistant Inspector-General 
in the war of 1812, and a Captain in the war with Mexico. 

In 1861, Colonel Woodman was appointed, by the Governor of Maine, 
a recruiting officer, who also authorized him to assist in organizing the State 
militia. He was elected Captain of one of the companies. 

Colonel Woodman entered the United States service as First Lieutenant 





47 


in the 2d Maine Veteran Cavalry and was assigned to the Department of 
the Gulf, 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 19th A. C. 

After the Red River expedition he was sent with the regiment to 
Florida. 

Colonel Woodman was appointed Commissary of the 3d Brigade, 1st 
Division of General Granger’s special A. C., after which he was attached to 
the staff of Major-General Asboth, commanding the Department of West 
Florida, as aide-de-camp, in which capacity he acted until his muster out, 
December 21, 1865. 

Colonel Woodman is a charter member and Past Vice President Gen¬ 
eral of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, a mem¬ 
ber of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, Commandery of Pennsylva¬ 
nia ; of St. John Commandery K. T. of Wilmington, and of Phil. Sheridan 
Post No. 23, G. A. R,, Wilmington, Del. 



George W. Stradley, 

Past Department Commander G. A. R., of Delaware. 


A Synopsis of tlie Autobiography of George W. Stradley. 

He was born in the City of Baltimore, June 28th, 1844, and spent his 
boyhood days in that city. At the age of thirteen his parents moved to 
Bridgeville, Del., and he commenced the trade of boot and shoe making 
with his father and continued in that busines until August 22,1862. He then, 
being eighteen years of age, enlisted in the service of his country in 
Co. B, First Delaware Cavalry, under Captain William Cannon, to serve for 
three years. He went into his first camp at Camp Smithers, Wilmington, 
Del., under Major N. B. Knight, afterward Colonel Knight. From Camp 
Smithers they were ordered to Drummondtown, Va.,to guard the telegraph 
line. 

In the spring of 1873 they were started for Gettysburg. After a perilous 
march they came in contact with Stewart’s cavalry at Westminster. After a 
sharp skirmish they retired, being out-numbered. They were afterward sent 
down along the Potomac to do guard duty and act as scouts. 




4 8 


In the spring of 1864 they were dismounted and sent as infantry in the 
first Brigade, First Division, Sixth Corps, and served that famous and peril¬ 
ous campaign of Cold Harbor and Petersburg. At that time he was de¬ 
tached from his company and was sent with the first Rhode Island Battery. 
After the campaign was over he was sent to Baltimore and remounted. He 
was again detached and sent to Gen. E. B. Taylor’s headquarters at the Re¬ 
lay House and did duty there until the close of the war. He was sent to Wil¬ 
mington, Del., and mustered out June 6th, 1865. 

He then settled in Bridgeville, Del., and engaged in the manufacture of 
boots and shoes. After a few years he commenced the culture of small 
fruits which was one of the leading industries in the State at that time (as well 
as now). Being of an enterprising nature, one of that kind of men that be¬ 
lieves in push and is not willing to stand still nor yet to let others, he urged 
the feasibility and necessity of a fruit and vegetable packing house and 
finally succeeded in engaging H. P. and P. L. Cannon in the enterprise and 
is at this time with P. L. Cannon in one of the best equipped packing plants 
on the Peninsula. 

Comrade Stradley married a very estimable lady, one of Delaware’s 
fairest daughters and a consistent member ol the Methodist Church at 
Bridgeville Delaware, where he resides. He also is a member of the same 
church and is highly respected in the comrliunity in which he lives and hon¬ 
ored by the comrades of the G. A. R. of the Department of Delaware. 

At the annual Encampment of the Department of Delaware held in 
Wilmiugton, Del., at the headquarters of U. S. Grant Post No. 13, 3rd and 
King Streets, February 18th, 1892, he received a handsome majority as a to¬ 
ken of the esteem in which his fellow comrades held him. The session was 
one of great triumph and harmony prevailed throughout, making it decid¬ 
edly one of the best encampments ever held by ihe department. 


' 


49 



Edgar A. Finley, Assistant Adjutant-General, Department (^Dela¬ 
ware, G. A. R. 


Biography of Edgar A. Finley. 

Edgar A. Finley enlisted as a private soldier in Company E, Fourth Dela¬ 
ware Regiment Volunteer Infantry in June, i 852 . He participated in all the 
battles of this regiment and was discharged as Sergeant at the mustering out 
of the regiment at the close of the war, at Arlington Heights, June 3, 1865. 

He returned to Wilmington;,engaged as a book-keeper for a number of 
years; about 1875 he entered the iron and coach hardware business under 
the firm name of Finley, Garrett & Wilson, which firm was dissolved in 1890. 
He served as Assistant Postmaster in Wilmington, Del., for one year, and is 
now engaged in the real estate business under the firm name of Finley & 
Foulk, 

Mr. Finley is a member of Admiral S. F. DuPont Post, No. 2, Depart¬ 
ment of Delaware; has held many responsible offices and served on a num¬ 
ber of important committees, and is now serving his second term as Assistant 
Adjutant-General of the Department of Delaware. He is also a member of 
Encampment No. 34, U. V. L., of Wilmington, of which he has held many 
offices and served on committees of trust. He is the present Quartermaster 
of the Encampment. 





5 ° 


Eleventh Annual Encampment of the Department of Dela¬ 
ware. 

The Eleventh Annual Encampment of the Department of Delaware was 
held in New Castle, February 19, 1891. The town was given over to the 
veterans who inspected the jail, public offices, the battery, armory and all 
places of interest. Lunch was served at the headquarters of Watson Post, 
No. 5, by the ladies of the W. C. T. U. 

In the evening a camp fire was held in the Opera House. Past De¬ 
partment Commander Samuel Lewis presided. 

Speeches were made by Department Chaplain McCoy, Senior Com¬ 
mander Walker and Past Department Commander McNair. Comrade 
Theodore Kendall sang a song. Past Department Commander Daniel Ross 
delivered an address on General William T. Sherman, who had been buried 
that day in St. Louis, and read a poem entitled “ Sherman’s March.” 



Sherman’s March to the Sea. 

BY FRED EMERSON BROOKS. 

Excuse a blind old soldier if too eager in his quest 
To feel the copper button on the lappel of your breast, 

I’ve been so blind I havn’t seen a comrade since the war, 

But know the grip of fellowship found in the G. A. R. 

I know you are a hero, though you tell me not your name, 

So I shall call you comrade, for the meaning’s just the same, 
I’ve come to see the General—he’s here, I understand ; 

Now, comrade, lead me to him, for I’d like to shake his hand. 


I know it is an honoi^ 

But you’ll tell this for me, 

That I marched down with Sherman, 
From Atlanta to the sea. 





















5i 


’Twas the march of all the ages—Atlanta to the sea. 

Then up again to Richmond, one long march of Victory ! 

Three thousand miles of marching, with one hundred thousand men, 
And a thousand banners flying—there was plenty fighting then; 

For ’tis something more than marching, with the elements at play 
And the swarthy storm-king flinging his battalions in the way. 

It is something more than marching, when every step you go 
You are forced to fight with nature and a still more stubborn foe. 

I could tell you all about it 
If you’d listen unto me, 

For I marched down with Sherman 
From Atlanta to the sea. 


I could tell you all about it, and the reason why ’twas done ; 

For oftimes the greatest battle is with smallest carnage won. 

Those great chieftians—Grant and Sherman, peerless military twain— 
Planned to settle the rebellion in a double-fold campaign. 

While Grant held Lee at Richmond, Sherman marching through the South, 
Cut off hope and all resources save what’s in the cannon’s mouth, 

When your enemy is helpless it is just the Same, you know, 

As when you’ve thrust a rapier through the vitals of a foe. 


Yes, I’m a blind old veteran, 

But proud as I can be, 

That I marched down with Sherman 
From Atlanta to the sea. 

Lee well knew those marching thousands meant his final overthrow; 
And to yield for greater courage than cause useless blood to flow, 
Had those concentrated armies—veterans blue and veterans gray— 
Sought to settle the rebellion in one final, fatal fray, 

Fate’s red history of battle would have held another page 
With recital of a carnage never known in any age, 

And the sunset of rebellion would have made the earth more red 
With the blood of many thousands than the sunset overhead. 


When I am dead, my comrade, 

’Tis enough to say of me, 

That I marched down with Sherman 
From Atlanta to the sea. 

Some gained their fame at Gettysburg, when fame was nearly lost! 
At Fredericksburg, Antietam, too, ’twas learned what fame may cost! 
One climbed to fame on Lookout, fighting far above the clouds! 

At New Orleans one sailed to fame, lashed to the flagship shrouds! 
One rode to fame at Winchester! At Appomattox town, 

Upon a modest soldier glory laid a modest crown! 

And howe’er so many battles owe success to Sherman’s name, 

As the Mighty Man of Marches he’ll be alwavs known to fame. 


What? You were down in Georgia? 

Then you must have marched with me, 
When I marched down with Sherman 
From Atlanta to the sea. 


Let us give three cheers for Sherman : Hurrah ! hurrah ! hurrah ! 
Why are you silent, comrade ? Is there something in your craw ? 

What ? Profess to be a comrade, and yet refuse to cheer 
The grandest of all Generals ? What motive brings you here ? 

Why come to thes» Reunions if you haven’t any soul ? 

There’s a home for crippled soldiers, who are neither sound nor whole; 
Why, you’re more deserving pity, sir, and pension, too, I swan ! 

Than these poor shattered veterans, with arms and legs all gone ! 


5 2 


If you won’t cheer Uncle Billy— 

Well, you can’t shake hands with me ; 

For I marched down with Sherman 
From Atlanta to the sea. 

Why, there’s not another being in this Nation, I dare say, 

Not even yon Confederate—brave enemy in gray— 

On such a grand occasion would refuse to cheer, when bid, 

The man who saved the Union, or led the men who did, 

Uncle Billy loved the soldiers, for he had a heart within ! 

I heard him down in Georgia, shout above the battle din, 

We were rather busy fighting, but this sentence I recall : 

“You brave boys who do the fighting, you’re the heroes after all 1” 

What! You are General Sherman ? 

Then you’ll have to cheer for me ! 

For I marched down behind you, 

From Atlanta to the sea. 

Other speeches were made by Judge Advocate Robert Fraim, and the 
Rev, Mr. Brown, and patriotic songs were sung by Comrade Vantine^and 
Past Commander Z. Pickels. 

The following officers were elected. They were installed by Past De¬ 
partment Commander Lewis: 

Department Commander, Daniel Green, Newport. • 

Senior Vice-Commander, A. M. Hizar, New Castle. 

Junior Vice-Commander, Isaac H. Fisher, Wilmington. 

Department Chaplain, Rev. Jas. McCoy. 

Medical Director, Fred. J. Owens, Harrington. 

Daniel Green subsequently resigned as Department Commander by 
reason of ill-health, and the Council of Administration elected’Col. A. J. 
Woodman in his stead. 



Captain John Palmer, Commander-In-Chief of the G. A. R. 




53 


Captain John Palmer, of Albany, Commander-in-Chief of the G. A. R., 
1892, was born on Staten Island, N. Y., March 22, 1842, his parents subse¬ 
quently removing to Albany, N. Y., where the father opened a paint shop. 
When the war broke out, both father and son enlisted, and the father was 
killed while the son was carried off the field before Petersburg, Va., for dead. 
Captain Palmer enlisted as a private in the Ninety-first regiment, in which 
he became a second lieutenant before the regiment left Albany. When 
mustered out in 1865, he was a first lieutenant with brevet of captain. He 
has always been active in Grand Army affairs and republican politics. He 
was chairman of the committee appointed by the National Encampment to 
visit President Cleveland and the heads of the departments in the interest of 
the veterans, and through whose exertions many veterans were retained in 
the public service. Palmer was one of the originators of the Soldiers’ and 
Sailors’ Home, at Bath, Steuben county, N. Y. Through his efforts #50,- 
000 was subscribed in the face of bitter opposition, the home was established, 
the building erected, and finally turned over to the state. As a citizen Cap¬ 
tain Palmer commands the respect of all who know him. During his 24 
years’ service in the Grand Army he has held nearly every office in it of 
prominence and trust. 


Twelfth Annual Encampment, Department of Delaware, 

G- A. R. 

The twelfth annual encampment of the Department of Delaware met 
in the headquarters of Grant Post, No. 13, corner of Third and King streets, 
Wilmington, February 18, 1892. 

The retiring Department Commander, A. J. Woodman, presided. In 
presenting his annual report he spoke of the annual election, and expressed 
the wish that the newly-elected commander of the department should be 
the unanimous choice of the delegates and receive the undivided support of 
the posts forming the department. In regard to his own election and ad¬ 
ministration he said : 

“ My position to-day as department commander,” he continued, “is 
somewhat peculiar, as I was not a candidate at the last encampment. Of 
the trouble that existed at that time I have nothing to say, except that I be¬ 
lieve that both sides were sincere in their convictions and that each had the 
good of the Grand Army of the Republic at heart. I wish to thank all the 
comrades for the support they have given me, and I bespeak the same co¬ 
operation for my successor. It is my heart’s desire that he may have a 
prosperous administration ; where I have failed may he succeed, where I 
have succeeded may he excel. If it has been my good fortune to retain the 
confidence and esteem of the comrades I am rich indeed, although a bank¬ 
rupt in my ability to pay in kind a tittle of the generous hospitality that has 
• been showered upon me by you during my administration. I have received 
many encouraging letters which I prize very highly, coming as they do 
from comrades with whom, at the time, I had not the honor of an acquaint¬ 
ance. I have been so cord'ally received in the post-rooms that I have felt 
as much at home there as I do at my* own fireside It is in the post-room 
that the general and the private, the millionaire and the laborer, can sit side 
by side as comrades, bound to each other by ties which, outside the family 
circle, are the tenderest and the most endearing of any in the world.” 

“It has been my aim,” he added, “to treat all the comrades with the 
same degree of respect, regardless of nationality, sect or color. If I have 
failed to do so it has been an error of the head, not of the heart. I have 
had complaints from many of the Posts that some of the comrades do not 
pay their dues. That class, I trust is small. There are some who fall be- 



54 


hind for want of means. Cannot some way be devised to relieve this class, 
to lend the same helping hand to them now that you did to the unfortunates 
on the battlefield or on the march ? While dealing justly with all let justice 
be tempered with mercy.” 

He called attention to existing orders in relation to honors to be paid to 
the National flag, and commended the orders of the Commander-in-Chief 
in this regard. In the matter of pensions he endorsed a liberal policy on 
the part of the general Government. He said that the soldiers who had 
suppressed the Rebellion had lost in aggregate $507,636,068 while engaged 
in patriotic duty. The interest on this sum to date added to the principal 
would give a total of nearly $5,000,000,000, or more tl an can be paid in 
pensions in the next 100 years. 

He commended the auxiliary organizations of the Sons of Veterans and 
the Women’s Relief Corps, and alluded feelingly to the deaths of Past De¬ 
partment Commanders W. S. McNair and }ohn M. Dunn, and closed by 
thanking the members and officers for support during his administration. 

The adjutant-general’s and quartermaster’s reports were read and 
adopted. The first of these showed that the department consisted of 26 
posts and 1,362 members, being an increase of two posts and 100 members 
during the last year. 

After the adoption of the reports the encampment adjourned until 2.30, 
when it reassembled. At 2:30 o’clock the Commander-in-Chief of the G. A. 
R., General John Palmer, of New York City, visited the encampment. He 
was met at the depot by a committee composed of Colonel William B. Nor¬ 
ton and Past Post Commander Moses Weil, Joseph Booth, Richard McClel¬ 
land, D. R. Duncan and George W. Bull, accompanied by Colonels J. W. 
Agnew and P. J. Donnelly of the Commander-in-Chief’s staff, who conducted 
him to the Clayton House, where the party, augmented by Department 
Commander Woodman and staff, took dinner and visited the encampment. 

A reception was given the Commander-in-Chief, who made an address 
of about a half an hour’s length. 

The encampment then held an election of officers with the following re¬ 
sult: George W. Stradley of Post No. 17, at Bridgeville, Department Com¬ 
mander; Dr. E. G. Shortlidge, Post No. 13, of this city, Senior Vice-Com¬ 
mander; J. P. Boggs, Post No. 3, of Dover, Junior Vice-Commander; C. L. 
Jefferis, Post No. 23, of this city, Medical Director; James McCoy, Post No. 
2, of this city, Chaplain; William Kelley, Post No. 2; Charles A. Foster, 
Post No. 1 ; George Hillsley; Post No. 13; H. S. Kyle, Post No. 23, and 
John Jolls, Post No. 22, members of the council of administration. 

William Norton, Post No. 23, Delegate-at-Carge, William P. Voshell, 
Post No. 2, Alternate ; George King, Post No. 1, Delegate ; Richard Wil¬ 
liams, Post No. 8, alternate to the next National Encampment. 

The officers-elect were then installed by Past Commander Daniel Ross, 
and the encampment adjourned. 

Department Commander appointed E. A. Finley, A. A. General; M. 
B. Fowler, A. Q. M. General. 


Open Camp Fire and Supper. 

An open camp-fire was held in the Institute Hall in the evening. Past 
Department Commander A. J. Woodman presided, and with him on the 
platform were seated Commander-in-Chief Palmer, new Department Com¬ 
mander and staff, Cols. Solomon Agnew and Foster, A. D C. of the National 
Staff, Past Department Commanders, Wainwright, Ross, Buckingham, 
Mowbray, Litzenberg, Ayars, Lewis and all Past Commanders present, and 
members of the Council of Administration. Presiding Officer Woodman, in 



55 


introducing the guest of the Department, Commander-in-Chief Palmer, said 
he was the same man he had met in Paris, and had recognized him as a 
G. A. R. man by the button he wore. 

General Palmer spoke for three-quarters of an hour. He had been 
to Paris and down the Rhine, but with all the grandeur of the Old World 
there was no country to compare with this. He visited Georgia recently. 
After he decided to go his wife and friends tried to persuade him not to do 
so. While in Washington friends there told him not to go. He was told 
that if he went to Georgia he would be brought home in a box. He decided, 
however, to take the risk. With an Irishman from the Treasury Department 
as his staff he went to Atlanta, Ga. When he reached his destination he 
found large crowds at the station. His staff said it looked like right. But 
it was not fight. 

General Palmer was received by a committee of nineteen Confederates 
and entertained by them. Every one of them, he said, outranked him. He 
told them that he came to Atlanta to visit the G. A. R. post there, and asked 
them why they still introduced the rebel flag on all occasions. They said 
they did it as a relic. He asked why new flags were made. They replied 
that the rising generation was interested because of the rebellion. General 
Palmer said that there was only one flag and should be only one, and its 
principles should be instilled in the hearts of the children. His entertainers 
told him those who did the most talking about the rebel flag were those who 
did the least fighting for it. 

The speakers held the people who were their opponents in the war in 
high regard. Commander Palmer added that the Grand Army of the Re¬ 
public would do anything to bring about harmony, but it could not do it 
when rebel flags were allowed to be carried in the parades. 

Continuing his remarks to the audience General Palmer said there was 
no need of a standing army in this country. In time of need an army can 
be organized that would be surpassed by any. It was a good thing to keep 
up the memory of the late war, for it would show the need of loyalty. He 
was glad to have had the opportunity to visit Wilmington, had enjoyed his 
visit very much and wished peace and prosperity to all. 

After closing his speech Commander-in-Chief Palmer presented a beau¬ 
tiful badge to Past Department Commander Woodman from his staff and 
friends, an elegant combination badge representing the latter’s rank as 
Past Department Commander and his rank in the second division of the 
Nineteenth Army Corps. The badge is of solid gold and enamel and the 
two stars in the rank strap are set with diamonds. In accepting the gift Mr. 
Woodman made an appropriate address. 

Mayor Stansbury J. Willey, in a brief speech, said he regarded the G. 
A. R. as the nursery of patriotism in the household of our country. It is 
for the preservation of liberty and eternal glory. The government rests 
upon the fundamental principle that to the people themselves is confided 
its guardianship and protection. He spoke for even better* encampments 
in the future than those of the present. 

The new Department Commander, George L. Stradley, was called to 
the floor, but bowed his acknowledgments to the applause, said he was no 
speech-maker, and sat down. 

Past Department Commander Peter B. Ayars said no mistakes had 
been made in the leading points of American history, and when he referred 
to George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant and General 
John Palmer enthusiastic applause was excited. 

Remarks were made by Mayor Willey, Department Commander 
Stradley, Past Department Commanders Ayars, Lewis, Litzenberg and Ross, 
Colonel Norton, Chaplain McCoy, Colonel Foster, A. D. C., of National 
Staff, Judge Advocate-general Fraim, Moses Bullock and Assistant Adju- 


tant-general Finley, and solos were sung by Comrades Joseph Vantine and 
Stephen Johnson. 

About 9.30 o’clock the camp fire was concluded after short speeches 
and songs by several members. A dinner was given in the Clayton House 
in honor of Commander-in-Chief Palmer. Upward of 100 sat down. The 
room was decorated with flags. An orchestra of three pieces furnished the 
music. The menu cards were pretty and contained a picture of Past De¬ 
partment Commander Woodman. 

Following was the menu : 

Oysters on Shell. 

Extra Cadiz Sherry. 

Tenderloin Beef with Mushrooms. 

Potatoes Parisienne. 

Fried Oysters. 

St. Estephe Claret. 

Celery. Cranberry Sauce. 

Roast Turkey. French Peas. 

Fruits. 

Cakes. Ice Cream. 

Coffee. 

Menu concluded after 11 o’clock. Chairman Woodman introduced 
General Palmer, who told several army anecdotes, and said he was a poli¬ 
tician in that great body of Americans that never held an office. He said 
one reason he never ran for an office was because his boys could read, and 
it would be hard to tell whether he was running for the post office or the 
penitentiary. In closing he said that but a remnant of the Union army re¬ 
mained and it showed signs of wear and tear. They are nearing the end 
of their journey. It was a pleasant thought for him that when he died he 
could leave as a legacy to his three sons a clean record as a soldier and an 
American citizen. This caused enthusiasm. 

After Past Assistant Adjutant-General John Stradley had spoken briefly, 
thanking Past Department Commander Woodman for his appreciation of 
his services, the affair was concluded with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” 


Stansbury J. Willey was born in Sussex county, Delaware, March 19, 
1845. Mr. Willey worked on the farm and attended the public schools un¬ 
til he was sixteen years of age. He subsequently attended Newark Acade¬ 
my. Newark, Del,; took the usual course at Crittenden’s Commercial Col¬ 
lege, Philadelphia, Pa.: studied chemistry at Harvard University, and the 
classics and mathematics under private tutors. He taught in different pub¬ 
lic schools for some time, and was assistant in Mr. William A. Reynolds’ 
Classical and Mathematical Institute in Wilmington, Del., of which he be¬ 
came vice principal. While occupying this latter position he was elected 
principal of the Boys’ High School of Wilmington, in 1874. He received 
his degree from Delaware College. He resigned the principalship of the 
High School in i882.to enter business. He is now (1893) vice president of 
the Wilmington Dental Manufacturing Company and secretary of the 
Kartavert Manufacturing. Company. In 1890 Mr. Willey was appointed 
Supervisor of the Census for the District of Delaware by President Har¬ 
rison. He performed his duties so creditably that he was specially compli¬ 
mented by the Department and was made an exception so that his accounts 
were settled before the actual completion of his work. In 1891 he was elect¬ 
ed Mayor of Wilmington for a term of two years. 

He has always taken a keen interest in public education, and for four 
years subsequent to his resignation from the high school was a member of 



57 



Mayor Stansbury J. Willey. 


the Board of Public Education of Wilmington, by unanimous election of 
his fellow citizens. Among his numerous addresses the one on the “School¬ 
master and the State” delivered at a commencement of Delaware College 
attracted marked attention throughout Delaware. 


The Journal of Proceedings of the Thirteenth Annual Encamp¬ 
ment, Department of Delaware, Grand Army of the Re¬ 
public, at Wilmington, Delaware, Feb. 8th, 1893. 

Headquarters Department of Delaware, G. A. R., 

Wilmington, Del., Feb. 8th, 1893. 

The Thirteenth Annual Encampment of the Department of Delaware, 
Grand Army of the Republic, was convened in Sheridan Post Room, Wil¬ 
mington, Delaware, on this day at 10 A. M. 

George W. Stradley, Department Commander, opened the encamp¬ 
ment in due lorm, and announced the following appointments: 

Officer of the Day, Wm. Kelley, Jr., Post No. 2 ; Officer of the Guard, 
C. Jefferis, Post No. 23; Inside Sentinel, J. M. Banthem, Post No. 13 ; Out¬ 
side Sentinel, N. Moore, Post No. 1. 

Prayer by James McCoy, Department Chaplain. 








53 

The Committee on Credentials made the following report. 

Wilmington, Del., Feb. 7th, 1893. 

To the Commander , Officers and Comrades of the Thirteenth Department 

Encampment: 

Your Committee on Credentials appointed by Section 7, General Order 
No. 7, dated Dec. 12, 1892, met pursuant to appointment, and find the cre¬ 
dentials of the various Post correct, and corresponding with roll of the 
Thirteenth Encampment as furnished by the Assistant Adjutant General. 

Respectfully submitted in F. C. and L. 

DANIEL ROSS, 

JOHN WAINWRIGHT, 
MOSES BULLOCK, 

ADAM J. SCHRACK, 

Committee. 

On motion the report was accepted and ordered placed on record. The 
Roll of the Encampment was then called and showed the following com¬ 
rades present: 

Department Commander, George W. Stradley; Senior Vice-Com¬ 
mander, E. G. Shortlidge; Dept. Chaplain, James McCoy; Med. Director, 
C. L. Jcfferis; A. A. General, Edgar A. Finley; Asst. Quartermaster, M. 
B. Fowler; Judge Advocate, Robt. C. Fraim; Chief Mustering Officer, 
Sylvester Solomon. 

Council of Administration—Chas. A. Foster, Post 1 ; Wm. Kelley, Jr., 
Post 2 ; Thos. Peters, Post 13 ; John Jolls, Post 22. 

Past Department Commanders—John Wainwright, Daniel Ross, R. G. 
Buckingham, P. B. Ayars, Samuel Lewis, A. J. Woodman. 

Gen. Thos. A. Smyth Post, No. 1—Post Commander, S. J. Wood ; Past 
Post Commanders, R. Liddell, Jacob Slifer and Geo. W. King. Represent¬ 
atives, Post 1—C. E. Pierce, George Reuss, Jacob Lamplugh, Nathaniel 
Moore, John Irwin. Alternates, Post 1—T. S. E. Brown, J. E. Devnish, 
Samuel Spence, D. R. Myers, Jos. Honey. 

Admiral S. F. DuPont Post, No. 2—Post Commanders Henry S. Stiad- 
ley; Past Post Commanders, B. D. Bogia, W. P. Voshell, Jos. Duffy, 
Nathaniel Bayne, Jos. S. Booth. Representatives, Post 2—George Wonn, 
W. H. Johnson, Wm. Mendinhall, James Johnson, W. H. Millis. Alter¬ 
nates, Post No. 2—Jos. S. Wheeler, Jos. E. Miller, A. H. Mason, H. W. 
Zimmerman. 

Gen. A. T. A. Torbert Post, No. 3—Past Post Commander, E. F. Wood. 

Chas. Sumner Post, No. 4—Post Commander, Allen Anderson; Past 
Post Commanders, L. F. Fisher, I. H. Fisher, Simeon Hood, Isaac Wilson, 
Nero Backus, Raymond Trusty, Andrew Gray, L. J. Dales. Representa¬ 
tives, Post No. 4—George Dumson, 

Capt. E. S. Watson Post, No. 5—Post Commander, Aquilla M. Hizar; 
Pa£t Post Commanders, Robt. S. Martin, John Kelley, Jos. E. Vantine, Ira 
Lunt. 

Major W. F. Smith Post, No. 6—Post Commander, Wm. Jones; Past 
Post Commanders, Adam Wilson, Charles Patton. Delegate. Post No. 6— 
Henry Kellem. 

I). L. Striker Post, No. 8—Post Commander, Wm. Gallaher; Past Post 
Commander, Daniel Green. 

Thos. M. Reynolds, No. 9—Post Commander, Jas. Petitdemange ; Past 
Post Commanders, Alban Buckingham, Jacob Moore, J. W. Worrall, W. 
H. Pennock, Samuel Worrall. Representative, Post No. 9—Lewis E. Col¬ 
ins. 


59 


Gen. U. S. Grant Post, No. 13—Post Commander, George Hillesley ; 
Past Post Commanders, P. J. Donnelly, Moses Bullock. Representative— 
James Banthem. 

Col. J. W. Andrews Post, No. 14—Past Post Commanders, M. Grem- 
minger, W. Wellington Walker, W. Wesley Walker. Representative—L. 
V. Aspril. 

P. J. Pettijohn Post, No. 16—Alternate, Robert S. Lawson. 

Col. C. R. Layton Post, No. 18—Representative, A. H. Manship. 

Capt. P. C. Carter Post, No. 19—Past Post Commanders, W. J. Rich¬ 
ard, Wm. Tharp. Representatives—Elias Sapp, J. B. Simmons. 

Major John Jones Post, No. 22—Post Commander, Jas. C. Wilson ; Past 
Post Commanders, C. N. Dodd, C. M. Stanger. Representatives—Joseph 
B. Deakyne, A. S. Naudain. 

Phil. Sheridan Post, No. 23—Post Commander, Jas. W. Agnew : Past 
Post Commanders, W. A. Reilly, Wm. O’Connor, Wm. B. Norton, A. J. 
Schrack, Moses Weil. Representatives—John P. Donohue, J. L. French. 
Alternate—R. G. Turner. 

Sherman Post, No. 27—Post Commander, Robt. Ellegood. Repre¬ 
sentative—Henry Carey. 

Minutes of Twelfth Annual Encampment read, and the following cor¬ 
rections were made : 

Comrade Daniel Ross was chairman of Committee on Resolutions on 
death of Past Dept. Commanders John M. Dunn and W. S. McNair, in 
place of Samuel Lewis, and a motion of Comrade Peter B. Ayars for order 
to be drawn for one hundred and twenty-five dollars ($125) was to pay the 
salaries of 1891 of Department officers, also the expenses of entertaining 
the Commander-in-Chief. 

With above corrections minutes were approved. 

Council of Administration made the following report, which on motion 
was received and laid over for new business to act on recommendations 
made. 

Wilmington, Del., Feb. 8th, 1893. 

Commander ; Officers and Comrades , Thirteenth Department Encampment : 

Comrades :—Your Council of Administration most respectfully submit 
the following report to date. From the very beginning of this administra¬ 
tion they found themselves in debt when all bills were paid to the amount 
of two hundred and fifty-three dollars and forty-seven cents ($253.47), and 
the treasury bankrupt, and the books of the Asst. Quartermaster General in 
such confusion, that it took months of labor in all the spare hours of the 
Asst. Quartermaster General to balance them. The Council of Administra¬ 
tion is most happy to state that the books and records are now in the best 
possible condition, with settlements up to date, all back outstanding debts 
of the last administration are paid, and also payment has been made in full 
for all debts created by the present administration, and there is a balance 
in cash in the hands of the Asst. Quartermaster General of thirty dollars 
and eighty-seven cents ($30.87.) 

The work of this administration is bringing the Department out of 
chaos, is deserving of the highest praise and commendation. The present 
Assistant Adjutant General and Assistant Quartermaster General deserve 
special mention for the labor, economy and good judgment they have used 
in the administration of the affairs of their office. We find the chief aim 
of their official duty was accuracy, neatness and dispatch, and the finances 
honestly and economically administered. Therefore we most earnestly rec¬ 
ommend that the next administration appoint them again. 

We also recommend that the salary of the Asst. Quartermaster Gen¬ 
eral be made thirty dollars ($30) per annum from date for his services. 


6o 


We further recommend that the fiscal year of the Department for 
closing its annual business accounts and reports be January 31st. All re¬ 
ceipts and disbursements after that time being credited to the succeeding 
administration. 

Respectfully submitted in F. C. and L., 

CHAS. A. FOSTER, 

WM. KELLEY, Jr., 

JOHN W. JOLLS, 

JAMES McCOY. 

The Commander then read his address: 

Comrades of the Encampment :—At the last Department Encamp¬ 
ment held in this city on the 18th of last February, 1892, yon honored me 
with the highest position in your gift, and in accepting that trust I fully 
realized the fact that to fill the place as my honored predecessors have done, 
and to mete out to you and those you represent that full measure of service 
that would be expected of me, was no insignificant task, and whether or not 
I have performed that duty with credit, I will cheerfully abide by your verdict. 

It was iny good fortune to be surrounded and aided by a faithful corps 
of associates whose hearty co-operation has in a large measure lightened 
my official labors, and for their faithful and efficient assistance each and all 
of them have won my thanks and best personal wishes. 

I have never called on any of the subordinate officers of the depart¬ 
ment for any assistance that they could conscientiously render that was not 
well and promptly done. 

The report of the Assistant Adjutant General, Quartermaster General, 
Inspector General, Chief Mustering Officer, Medical Director and Chaplain 
will cover the detailed work of the department during the year. 

I am fully convinced of the fact that the future welfare of the order in 
this department will be better promoted by efforts in the way of adding to 
the membership of the posts already established rather than by the organi¬ 
zation of new posts. 

A year of experience as Department Commander convinces me fully 
of the fact that to have complete and permanent records, the fewer changes 
made in the office of Asssistant Adjutant General the better. This officer has 
done splendid work during the past year. 

One new post has been organized during the year and it appears to be 
in good active working order and is located in Bridgeville ; it is safe to sur¬ 
mise that we are now at or have passed the meridian of jour numerical 
strength; death is making rapid encroachments on our ranks during the 
past year ; the death roll has been large ; the department has buried 27 com¬ 
rades by the State appropriation. It has been the aim of the present 
administration to encourage Loyalty, Fraternity and practice Charity. We 
have never intentionally been harsh in the discharge of our duties. It has 
been the policy during our term of office to extend every possible encour¬ 
agement to the Sons of Veterans and Woman’s Relief Corps, and in all 
matters requiring their co-operation the same has been extended in the 
fullest measure and for the many acts of assistance and courtesy coming 
from each of these auxiliary societies, I hereby extend my personal as 
well as official thanks, and heartily commend to my successor every 
encouragement possible to be extended to them. 

It was my pleasure to attend the Twenty-sixth National Encampment 
at Washington last September, accompanied by the largest delegation this 
Department ever sent to a similar gathering; it was a great gathering of 
men who helped to preserve the country in her hour of trial; and I am 
sure no one came away feeling other than a sense of pride in the fact that 
he contributed his mite to successfully accomplish the great object for 
which the grandest army ever marshalled fought. 


i The next National Encampment will meet in Indianapolis next Sep¬ 
tember, and I commend every one who can get a chance, to attend this, as 
no doubt it will be one of the great gatherings of old soldiers. A member¬ 
ship in this order is a living certificate of honorable service under our 
country’s flag, and that is the strongest proof of any man’s loyalty. 

The objects of the Grand Army are : 

First—To preserve and strengthen those kind and fraternal feelings 
which bind together the soldiers, sailors and marines who united to suppress 
the rebellion, and to perpetuate the memory and history of the dead. 

Second—To assist such former comrades in arms as need help and pro¬ 
tection, and to extend needful aid to the widows and orphans of those who 
have fallen. 

Third—To maintain true allegiance to the United States of America based 
upon paramount respect for and fidelity to its constitution and law ; to dis¬ 
countenance whatever tends to weaken loyalty, incites to insurrection, 
treason or rebellion, or in any manner impairs the efficiency and perma¬ 
nency of our free institutions, and to encourage the spread of universal 
liberty, equal right and justice to all men. 

Comrades, we assemble to-day to give an account of our official stew¬ 
ardship, and to surrender our badge of authority to our successors. Again 
I thank you for the hearty and willing co-operation you have shown in the 
work during the past year. 

Wishing for each of you health and happiness, and commending you 
to the protection of an all-wise Providence through the years to come, 

I remain, yours in F. C. and L., 

GEORGE W. STRADLEY, 

Dept. Commander. 

Upon motion of Comrade Daniel Ross the address was referred to a 
Committee of three, consisting of Daniel Ross, George Hillsley and Robert 
C. Fraim. 

Wilmington Del., Feb. 8th, 1893. 

To the Officers and Comrades , Department of Delaware , G. A. D. 

Comrades :—Your Committee to whom was referred the report of the 
Commander would respectfully recommend that the report be accepted and 
recorded and that a vote of thanks be tendered him, for the faithful manner 
he has performed the duties of his office. 

DANIEL ROSS, 

ROBERT C. FRAIM. 
GEORGE HILLSLEY. 

Committee. 

The report of the Assistant Adjutant General was read, and on motion 
it was accepted and ordered recorded. 

REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL. 

Headquarters Department of Delaware, G. A. R. 

Wilmington, Del., February 8, 1893. 
Geo. W. Siradley, Commander Department of Delaware , G. A. R. 

Comrade :—I have the honor to report the transactions of this office 
during the past year. The consolidated semi-annual reports with the per 
capita tax have been forwarded to National Headquarters promptly. 

Seven General Orders with one circular letter have been issued and for¬ 
warded to the Commander of each post of the Department, and five (5) 


62 


special orders have been issued. All national orders and circular letters 
have been promptly forwarded to each post. 

Abstract of returns made to National Headquarters for the year 1892. 


Members in good standing December 31, 1891,.1358 

Gain during the year by muster.103 

“ “ “ transfer,. 5 

“ “ “ reinstatement,. 24 

- 132 


T49° 

Losses during year by death,. 25 

“ “ “ honorable discharge, .... 4 

“ “ “ transfer. 8 

“ “ “ suspension.251 

“ “ “ delinquent reports,. 31 


- 319 


Members in good standing December 31, 1892,.1171 

showing a net loss during the year of 187 members. 

. One new Post has been mustered during the year, viz: Sherman Post, 
No. 27,. Bridgeville, Del. 

Membership of Posts December 31ST, 1892. 

Smyth, No. 1,. 217 

DuPont, No. 2,. 190 

Torbert, No. 3. 48 

Sumner, No. 4. 75 

Watson, No. 5, . . .. 26 

Smith, No. 6,. 29 

Garfield. No 7,. 41 

Striker, No. 8, . .. 27 

Reynolds, No. 9,. 27 

Woodall, No. 11. 8 

Grant, No. 13,. 38 

Andrews, No. 14.. . 44 

Logan, No. 15, ..Delinquent 

Pettijohn, No. 16,. 40 

Cannon, No. 17. 48 

Layton, No. 18, ... ,.. . 59 

Carter, No. 19. 51 

Moore, No. 21,.Delinquent 

Jones, No. 22,.,,. 42 

Sheridan, No. 23,. 96 

Lincoln, No. 24, . ..Delinquent 

Hydrick, No. 25,.' 36 

McColley, No. 26,. 17 

Sherman, No. 27. 12 


Total,... 1171 

We were very seriously embarrassed in our early work in consequence 
of the financial condition of the Department when turned over to us. 

A complete report of this matter will be made by our very efficient 
Assistant Quarter Master General M. B. Fowler. 

I desire to thank the Department Officers, Officers of Posts and my 
Comrades for their encouragement and assistance so cheerfully given at 
all times. Yours in F. C. and L., 

EDGAR A. FINLEY, 

Asst. Adjutant General. 




































63 

The report ot Assistant Quartermaster General, M. B. Fowler, was read 
and on motion of Comrade John Wainwright, a rising vote of thanks was 
extended to him for the clear, concise and intelligent report he has furnished 
the Encampment. Adopted. 

REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER GENERAL. 

Mr. George W. Stradley i Department Commander. 

Dear Sir and Comrade: —Herewith I hand you my report for the 
term commencing Feb. 18th, 1892, and ending Feb. 8th, 1893. 

Included in the disbursements during this term are the following items 
that should have been paid by our predecessors in office, namely : 

Salaries of department officers for 1891, . . . . . . $135 00 
Supplies from the Quartermaster General in 1891, . . 81 77 

Stationery and printing for 1891,.. . 49 95 

Advertising and postage,. 9 90 

Expenses entertaining Commander-in-Chief Palmer, . 21 50 


$298 12 

The thanks of the Department is due the Joint Committee to arrange 
for the attendance of the Department to the National Encampment at Wash¬ 
ington, for the sum of $73.00 which they so kindly and cheerfully donated 
to the Department, this enabled us to pay all bills against the Department 
and leave us a balance to turn over to our successors in office. 

Following are detailed statements of the financial transactions of my 
office. 

Respectfully submitted in F. C. and L., 

M. B. FOWLER, 

Asst. Q. M. General. 

Receipts. 

Received February 18th, 1892 from the outgoing offi¬ 
cers. vouchers representing cash value of, . . . $ 121 50 

1892. February, received lor supplies sold,. 05 

March, “ “ “ .... 9 98 

“ “ per Cap. Tax lor 1891, 15 


April, received for supplies sold,. 


May, '• 

tt a a 

8 00 

ii it 

“ per Cap. Tax 1891, . . , . 

2 75 

it a 

from Artisans’ Savings Bank, . 

38 79 

June, “ 

for supplies sold, ...... 


July, “ 

<« a a 

4 30 

<< u 

“ per Cap. Tax istterm 1892, 

123 10 

August, “ 

“ supplies sold. 


Sept,, “ 

October, ‘‘ 

« it tt 

tt a tt 

6 63 

it it 

from Joint Washington Com. . 

73 00 

November, received for supplies sold, . . . . 


December. 

*i a » t * ft 


J anuary, 

it 

tt it tt ft 

22 69 

“ “ charter Post 27, . . . 

10 00 

H 

“ “ per cap. tax, 2d term, 

117 10 


10 13 
4 15 


49 54 
6 70 


127 40 
1 20 
16 25 


79 63 
2 90 
7 00 


149 7 9 


Total, 


. $ 576 24 
























64 

Recapitulation. 

Cash balance February iSth, 1892, . , . . . . . . $ 121 50 
Received from Artisans’ Savings Bank, . . . $ 38 79 
“ “ Joint Washington Committee, 73 00 

“ for per cap. tax, .243 10 

“ “ supplies sold. 89 85 

“ “ charter,. 10 00 

- 454 74 

Total,.$ 576 24 

Disbursements. 

1892. February, salaries of officers 1891, . . . . . $100 00 

“ . expenses entertaining Com.-in-Chief, 21 50 

- $121 50 

May, stationery and printing 1891,. 49 95 

“ advertising and postage, 1891, .... 9 90 

- 59 85 

July, supplies 1891,. 81 77 

“ “ 189 2 . • • .. 15 57 

“ per capita tax, 1st term,. 12 30 

- 109 64 

August, supplies, .. 9 30 

September, postage,. 13 00 

October, supplies,. 12 40 

November, supplies,. 12 90 

1893. January, postage,.$ 7 47 

stationery and printing,. 52 60 

“ salaries of officers, 1891, . . . = . 35 00 

“ “ “ 1892, ..... 100 00 

“ per capita tax, 2d term,. 11 71 

-$ 206 78 

Total,.$545 37 

Recapitulation of Disbursements. 

Salaries of officers.$235 00 

Expenses entertaining Commander-in-Chief, .... 21 50 

Postage, . . . .. 26 97 

Stationery and printing,. 4 .102 55 

Advertising,. 3 40 

Supplies, ... j 31 94 

Per capita tax,. 24 01 


Total.$545 37 

Summary. 

Total receipts, general fund,.$576 24 

“ “ burial fund,.675 00 

-$1,251 24 

Total disbursements, general fund, .... $545 37 

“ “ burial fund.675 00 

-$1,220 37 


Cash on hand February 8, 1893, • • • 


$ 30 87 









































65 

STATEMENT OF STATE APPROPRIATIONS TO BURIAL FUND. 


Date. 

Paid through 
Post No. 

Name of Comrade. 

Amount. 

1892. 




March 16. 

2 

Robert Buck. 

$25.00 

“ 25. 

4 

S. Parker. 

25.00 

“ 26. 

7 

A. Stevens. 

25.00 


7 

A. J. Wilson. 

25.00 


7 

R. W. Hurley.-... 

25.00 

“ 29. 

5 

E. McGlincey. 

25.00 

April 2. 

1 

S. A. Gifford. 

25.00 

t t 

4 - 

23 

Thos. Gallagher. 

25.00 * 

“ 15 - 

1 

W. F. Richards.... 

25.00 


13 

J. K. Vickers. 

25.00 

“ 26. 

1 

G. S. Benson. 

25.00 

May 16. 

13 

W. E. Wilson. 

25.00 

June 29. 

2 

Jos. Osborne. 

25.00 

Aug. 18. 

25 

W. J. Marvil. 

25.00 


14 

H. Chambers. 

25.00 

“ 19 - 

6 

Edw. Anderson. 

25.00 

“ 22. 

17 

D. B. Swain. 

25.00 

Sept. 13. 

18 

George Somers. 

25.00 

" T 3 - 

4 

Jacob Trusty. 

22.00 

“ 17 - 

23 

Warren Addick. 

25.00 


23 ' 

Richard Taylor. 

25.00 

Nov. 18. 

4 

Henry Till. 

25.00 

“ 21. 

4 

Chas. White. 

25.00 

Dec. 6. 

2 

Geo. W. Eukens. 

25.00 

“ 29. 

15 

Jno. R. Jackson. 

25.00 


4 

John Brown. 

25.00 

Jan. 31. 

1 

John Powell ... . 

25.00 


Total 27 deaths, amounting to $675.00 


Revenue for the Year. 


Per capita tax, 1st term, . 

.$123 

10 

*• “ 2d “ 

.11 7 

10 

Charter for Post 27, .... 

. 10 

00 

Profit on supplies sold, . . 

. 29 

50 

Expenses 

for the Year. 


Salaries of officers, .... 

.$100 

00 

Stationery and printing, 

. 5 2 

60 

Postage. 


47 

Per capita tax,. 

. 24 

01 


#279 70 


$197 08 


Dr. 


Net revenue for the year,. 

Balance Sheet. 
Post No. 11. 

“ 14. 

“ 16,. 

“ 21. 

Department property. 

John B. Stradley,.. . 

Supplies,. 

Cash, . . , . .. . . . 


$ 82 62 


5 34 
7 75 
62 62 
215 79 

2 9 85 

30 87 


Cr. 


Capital account, 


#355 22 
355 22 







































































66 


statement of suppues. 


Kind of Supplies. 


Rank straps. 

Ribbons. 

Buttons. 

Members badges. 

Blue books. 

Leave of absence .. 

Transfers.. 

Discharges. 

Rules and regulations... 

Applications.. 

Rituals. 

Service books. 

Medical descrip, books. 

Post descrip, books. 

Odes. 

Charters. 

Hat Cords. 


On Hand 
2d Mo. 18, ’92 


No. Value. 


50 

43 

14 

19 

3 
39 

83 

22 

28 

308 

14 

14 

4 
3 

78 


$10 50 
1 72 

1 16 
6 65 

2 25 

59 
1 90 
46 
• 84 

1 22 

3 50 

2 10 
2 00 
1 50 

39 


$36 78 


Bought. 


No. I Value. 


115 $ 4 13 
164 ! 9 84 

102 I 35 70 


50 
i-25 


Sold. 


No. Value. 


106 


13 

1 


3 

162 


$ 5 i 42 


25 $12 50 
90 4 50 

160 I 13 78 


53 00 


65 

05 


15 

97 

100 


125 


$87 85 


On Hand 
2d Mo. 8, ’93. 


No. Value. 


25 
68 
18 

15 

3 

26 
82 
22 

25 

146 

12 

14 

4 
3 

78 


25 

72 

08 

25 

25 

88 

46 

75 

58 

00 

10 

00 

50 

39 

25 


$29 85 


Past Post Commander Weil announced that Sheridan Post had pre¬ 
pared a dinner for all guests and extended an invitation to the Encampment 
to partake of their.hospitality. 

Past Post Commander Bogia stated that Dupont Post No. 2 would be 
pleased to have the representatives take dinner with thep, ample provision 
having been made for their entertainment. 

T. B. Swain, Department Inspector, no report. 

C. L. Jefferis, Medical Director, no report. 

S. Solomon, Chief Mustering Officer, no report., 

Jas. McCoy. Department Chaplain, stated he had visited each post in 
Wilmington and Sons of Veterans : believed the posts were in good condi¬ 
tion. 

Robert C. Fraim, Judge Advocate, stated his office the past year had 
been an easy one, no duties being required of him. 

W. B. Norton, Delegate at Large, no report. 

Geo. W. King, delegate, gave a very interesting verbal report. 

W. P. Voshell, Com. on Soldier’s Home, presented a report, which was 
accepted and ordered placed on record. 

The report is as follows : 

Wilmington, Del., Feb. 8th, 1893. 

George W. Stradley, Commander , Dept . Del. G. A. R. 

Comrades :—Having been appointed by you as a committee to secure 
admission to the Soldiers’ Home of disabled comrades, I beg leave to report 
the following named soldiers whose papers have been filled out, trans¬ 
portation secured, and the comrades sent to the Home at Hampton, Va. 

Michael McManus, Wm. Baker, John Cooley, David M. Shaw, John 
W. Luke, Edward Ogden, John Fleming. 

All applications have been granted that have applied during the year, 
and the applicants admitted. 

Yours in F. C. and L., 

WM. P. VOSHELL. 




































































6y 


On motion an order of Ten Dollars ($10) was directed to be drawn in 
favor of Past Commander Aquilla M. Hizar, in payment for services of 
janitor at New Castle, at Encampment in 1891. 

Comrade Daniel Green moved that Past Department Commanders be 
a standing committee to report on the death of any Past Department Com¬ 
manders. Adopted. 

The Committee on Resolutions presented the following report: 

Wilmington, Del., Feb. 8th, 1893. 

To the Commander , Officers and Comrades, Thirteenth Annual Encampment. 

Comrades :—We, your Committee, appointed to draft resolutions on the 
death of our late comrade, Past Dept. Com. William S. McNair, would 
respectfully report the following for \ ouf consideration. 

William^. McNair, born near Doylestown, Bucks.County, Pa., Octo¬ 
ber 10th, 1844. died at Wilmington, Del., May 24th, 1891. 

At an early age in life, as a mere boy, he entered the service of his 
country during the late civil war, in the celebrated Ringold Battery of Penn¬ 
sylvania, whose history shines out brilliantly with deeds of honor and daring. 
Whatever there is of pride for Pennsylvania in their history, belongs equally 
to our late Comrade McNair with olhers. 

As Commander of this Department he was zealous and untiring in his 
efforts to promote not only the interests of our beloved order, but of every 
individual ex-soldier. 

We therefore mourn the sad loss of our comrade to the order, and shall 
miss him in our councils. 

Submitted fraternally, 

PETER B. AYARS, 
DANIEL ROSS, 

Committee. 

Wilmington, Del., Feb. 8th, 1893. 

To the Commander; Officers and Comrades , Thirteenth Annual Encamp¬ 
ment : 

Comrades We, your committee, apppinted to draft resolutions on the 
death of our late comrade, Past Department Commander, John M. Dunn, 
would respectfully report the following for your consideration: 

John M. Dunn, born at Dublin, Ireland, March ist ; 1843, died at Wil¬ 
mington, Del., September 19th, 1891. 

At the age of nineteen years, May 1st, 1861, he answered the call of his 
imperiled country and. entered the service in defense of its unity and in¬ 
tegrity. 

As a private soldier under the gallant and brave General Thomas A. 
Smyth of the First Delaware Infantry, he was prompt and courageous, he 
served with fidelity and distinction throughout the entire war, being 
wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, May 6th, 1865. He rose to the 
rank of first lieutenant of Company K of the First Delaware Infantry, 
famous for its brilliant achievements, and whose history adds lustre to the 
military fame of our State of Delaware. 

As commander of this department, he was active, industrious, kind and 
vigilant. 

Truly, therefore, in the death of our comrade John M. Dunn, this de¬ 
partment has lost one of its most valued members. 

Submitted fraternally, 

PETER B. AYARS, 
DANIEL ROSS, 

Committee. 


/ 


68 

Comrade Peter B. Ayars moved that a committee of seven be appointed 
to secure from the Park Commissioners permission to erect a monument to 
the memory of Major General Thomas A. Smyth, on the triangular plot of 
ground north side of Washington street bridge and adjoining the boulevard, 
or some other suitable site. This committee is empowered to solicit sub¬ 
scriptions and raise funds necessary for procuring monument. Adopted. 

Peter B. Ayars, Daniel Ross, Samuel Lewis, Chas. A. Foster, Daniel 
Green, John W. Jolls, Edgar A. Finley, Committee. 

On motion, the Encampment took a recess until 1.30 p.m. 

Afternoon Session. 

The Encampment convened at 1.30 p. m. 

The Council of Administrations, recommendation that the salary of the 
Asst. Quartermaster General be Thirty dollars ($30) per annum for the next 
year, was now takeij up for action. 

Comrade Samuel Lewis, moved that the recommendation of the C of A 
be adopted, and that the Asst. Quartermaster General be allowed a salary 
of Thirty Dollars($3o)in addition for his services during the past year. So 
ordered. 

Comrade Voshell moved the adoption of the recommendation of Coun¬ 
cil of Administration that the fiscal year for the Department of Delaware 
end on Jan. sist. Adopted. 

Comrade Peter B. Ayars moved that the C. of A. be authorized to de¬ 
stroy all useless blanks and papers in the Asst. Adjutant General’s and 
Asst. Quartermaster General’s offices, including old rituals, etc. So ordered. 

On motion of Comrade Daniel Ross the Encampment proceeded to the 
election of officers for the ensuing year. 

Comrade Wm. B. Norton moved that the votes be handed to teller, 
and by him deposited, and if more than one ballot is voted by any one 
comrade, the ballot be destroyed by the Department Commander, which 
was adopted. 

The following nominations were made. 

Department Commander—Benj. D. Bogia, Post 2; Moses Bullock, 
Post 13 ; Wm. B. Norton, Post 23. 

Senior Vice Commander—Sylvester Solomon, Post 1; Jason B. Simmons, 
Post 19; C. M. Dodd, Post 22; J. L. French. Post 23. 

Junior Vice-Commander—Samuel Worrall, Post No. 9; C. M. Dodd, 
Post No. 22 ; John A. Orr, Post No. 23. 

Chaplain—Jacob Lamplugh, Post No. 1 ; William Haley, Post No. 2 ; 
Henry Whiteman, Post No. 9. 

Medical Director—Dr. E. G. Shortlidge (- Post No. 13. 

Council of Administration—J. M. Banthem, Post No. 13; John Dev- 
nish, Post No. 1 ; John W. Jolls, Post No. 22; John Donahoe, Post No. 23; 
Chas. Solloway, Post No 2. 

Delegates—Samuel J. Wood, Post No. 1 ; Joseph S. Booth, Post No. 2 ; 
Nathaniel Bayne, Post No. 2 ; Samuel Worrall, Post No. 9 ; Moses Bullock, 
Post No. 13; John W. Jolls, Post No. 22. 

Comrade Daniel Ross moved that in voting for delegates, that each 
comrade vote for two comrades, the one receiving the highest number of 
votes to be Delegate at Large ; next highest, Delegate ; next highest, Alter¬ 
nate to Delegate at Large; next highest, Alternate to Delegate. Motion 
adopted. 

The following is the result of the election : 

Department Commander—Benj. D. Bogia, Post No. 2. 

Senior Vice Commander—Jason B. Simmons, Post No. 19. 

Junior Vice Commander—C. M. Dodd, Post No. 22. 

Department Chaplain—Jacob Lamplugh, Post No. 1. 

Medical Director—E. G. Shortlidge, Post No. 13. 


# 


6 9 

Council of Administration—James M. Banthem, Post No. 13; Chas. 
W. Solloway, Post No. 2; John Devnish, Post No. 1 ; John W. Jolls, Post 
No, 22; John P. Donahoe, Post No, 23. 

Representatives to National Encampment. 

Delegate at Large—Samuel J. Wood, Post No. 1. 

Alternate at Large—Moses Bullock, Post No. 13. 

Delegate—John W. Jolls, Post No. 22. 

Alternate—Joseph S. Booth, Post No. 2. 

Dupont Pose No. 2 offered the use of their rooms for holding the next 
Annual Encampment, which on motion was accepted. 

On motion the following committee was appointed to have the names 
of the Delaware soldiers placed on the rolls at the Adjutant General’s 
office, State of Delaware : John P. Donahoe, John Wainwright, William 
P. Voshell, Committee. 

Past Department Commander Joshua Litzenberg moved that the per 
capita tax be same as last year, twenty cents per annum. Adopted. 

Comrade James W. Agnew moved that the janitor of Post 23 be allowed 
ten dollars ($10) for cleaning up room and work during Encampment. So 
ordered 

Past Department Commander John Wainwright proceeded to install 
the officers elect 

The newly elected Department Commander, Benj. D. Bogia, made a 
brief address. On motion adjourned. 

Attest: 

EDGAR A. FINLEY. 

Asst. Adjutant General. 


SLEEPING PATRIOTS. 


HONORED AS NEVER BEFORE IN MEMORIAL SERVICE 

AND PARADE. 


THE GRAVES OF ILLUSTRIOUS DEAD STREWN WITH 

FLOWERS. 


THE MOST REMARKABLE DAY IN THE HISTORY OF DELA¬ 
WARE. 

It is generally conceded that the observance of Memorial Day, May 30, 
1891, exceeded anything of the kind known in the history of Delaware. 
The members of the G. A. R. assembled early to prepare for parade, and 
everywhere could be seen boys and girls, men and women, hurrying to the 
City Hall with baskets of bright flowers to be used for decorating the 
soldiers’ graves. These donations were received by a committee consisting 
of Edwin Hirst, Henry S. Simpers, D. P. Boyd and W. Garagan, assisted 
by Mary S. Schaffer, Amelia A. French, Mary E. White, Mrs. G. D. Arm¬ 
strong, Josephine A. Maguire, Mrs. A. M. Beatty and Carrie Claypoole. 






I 


% 


70 

The buildings all along the line were handsomely decorated with bunt¬ 
ing and flags. The ladies showed their patriotism by wearing badges of 
National colors, and the boys decorated their hats with flags. The con¬ 
tinual passing to and fro of detachments of soldiers, seemed to arouse the 
most enthusiastic patriotism, which was increased the more when the martial 
music of Company D’s Philadelphia soldiers with a detachment of Troop B 
in veteran uniform, armed with improved rifles and with leggins and slouch 
hats, marched down Market street in attractive soldierly style. 

An entirely new plan of decorating graves was adopted this year, and 
veterans and citizens in general praise the order of things. It has formerly 
been the custom to deqorate all graves except those in the Wilmington and 



Governor Reynolds. 


Brandywine Cemetery and those in the old Cathedral Cemetery in the morn¬ 
ing, and then in the afternoon for the entire parade to march into these 
cemeteries and decorate the graves there. Under the new arrangements 
there was no confusion and all passed off without trouble. All the decora¬ 
tion of graves was done in the morning and the salutes over the graves were 
fired at the same time. Thomas A. Smyth Post, No. 1, G. A. R , decorated 
the graves in Old Swedes and Asbury cemeteries. DuPont Post, No. 2, 
Mt. Salem, Green Hill and St. Joseph’s; Grant Post. No. 13, New Cathe¬ 
dral and Old Cathedral cemeteries ; Sumner Post, No. 4, all the colored 
cemeteries. DuPont, Smyth and Sheridan posts decorated the Wilmington 
and Brandywine, and all except DuPont, Riverview cemetery. A hand- 



n 


some offering from the Board of Public Education was put on the grave of 
Dr. A. H. Grimshaw. A floral tribute from Col. Fred Taylor Post of Phila¬ 
delphia was put on the grave of H. A. L. Pyle, by DuPont Post. It was a 
large iron easel bearing a floral offering feet, in the design of a past 

senior commander’s badge. 

Governor Reynolds and the members of his staff, who reside down the 
State, arrived in the city at noon, and were met by a delegation composed of 
Mayor Harrington, President of Council Farra, Colonel Milo W. Locke, 
Wm. B. Norton, by whom they were escorted to the Clayton House, the 
headquarters of the chief marshal, A. J. Woodman, who introduced the 
Governor to his staff. The Governor held a brief reception in honor of the 
State and military officers, city officials and the G. A. R. The party assem¬ 
bled, fifty in number, were then banqueted as guests of Col. Woodman. 
Two files of infantrymen stood in the corridor and outer door, and two ser 



Adjutant-General Hart. 







72 


geants, in full uniform of cavalrymen, stood at the entrance to the dining 
hall and saluted the Governor as he passed in. 

The address of welcome was delivered by Mayor Harrington, response 
by the Governor. Col. Woodman was toastmaster and toasts were re¬ 
sponded to by Senators Gray, Higgins and Donahoe, Judge Ball, Secretary 
of State Marvel, President of Council Farra, Register of Wills Bradford, 
Adjutant-General Hart, Judge Advocate General Cullen, Colonel Cooper, 
City Treasurer Griffith, Department Commander Green, Past Department 
Commander Lewis, C. B. Rhoads, Captains Rice, Mitchell and Gillespie, 
and Byron Reynolds, the Governor’s son. 

The parade formed at 2 o’clock and was reviewed by the Governor 
and chief marshal. All of the veterans that could march to the tap of a 
drum were in line. The order of parade was as follows . 

Platoon of mounted police. 

Chief Marshal. 

Staff. 

His Excellency, Robert J. Reynolds, Governor of Delaware. 

Staff. 

FIRST DIVISION.' 

General Daniel Ross, commanding. 

First Regiment Fife and Drum Corps. 

First Battalion, 1st Regt., N. G. D. 

Co. A, Edmund Mitchell, Jr., captain commanding. 

Co. F., William Condon, captain commanding. 

Co. C., I. Pusey Wickersham, captain commanding. 

Grand Army of the Republic. 

General Daniel Green, Department Commander. 

Staff. 

Past Department Commanders. 

State Fencibles Band. 

General Thomas A. Smyth Post, Colonel R. McClellan, commander. 
Hibernian Drum Corps. 

Admiral S. F. DuPont Post, Colonel S. Booth, commander. 

New Castle Cornet Band. 

General U. S. Grant Post, Colonel M. Weil, commander. 

Hyatt’s Military Band. 

General Phil Sheridan Post, Colonel William B. Norton, commanding. 
Sons of Veterans. 

James A. Garfield Camp, F. Anderson,"captain commanding. 

John A. Logan Camp, A. H. Davidson, captain commanding. 

SECOND DIVISION. 

Col. Wm. O'Connor, commanding. 

Colonel Smith and staff of Third Regiment, N. G. P. (guests of Troop B.) 
Troop B, N. G. D., E. L. Rice, Jr., captain commanding. 

Co. D, Third Pennsylvania Volunteers. W. Gillespie, captain com¬ 
manding (guests of Troop B.) 

Delaware Cadet Corps. George Shuster, major commanding. 

THIRD DIVISION. 

Col. J. K. Vickers, commanding. 

First Regiment Band. 

Order United American Mechanics. 

Patriotic Order Sons of America. 

Hopockohacking Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men. 


73 

FOURTH DIVISION. 

Major J. H. Floyd, commanding. 

♦ Veterans in carriages. 

His Honor Austin Harrington, Mayor of Wilmington. 

His Honor J. Frank Ball, Judge of the Municipal Court. 

President J. C. Farra, President of City Council. 

Members of Delaware State Government. 

Invalid Soldiers. 

U. S. Senators. 

Sons of the American Revolution. 

Board of Education^. 

Colonel A. J. Woodman was chief marshal, B. D. Bogia chief of staff. 
The staff were Syl. Solomon, Elwood Craig, Dr. E. G. Shortliage, Adam J. 
Schrack, L. W. Palmer, H. S Kyle and Charles A. Foster. The mounted 
police were Sergeant Blackburn and Patrolmen Scott, Logue, Raymond, 
Galloway, Rummel, Johnson, Derrickson and Peoples. R. J. Henry, Jr. 
was acting color sergeant on the Governor’s staff. In the marching column 
there were fully 1,500 men. 

The Governor and staff, with other guests, stood in front of the Court 
House, and on the lower steps on the terrace was an organ at which W. J. 
Parry presided, 600 children were grouped about it, each holding tiny flags 
in their hands and some dressed in national colors. Ex-Mayor Rhoads 
directed the singing and these children sang “America” as the parade passed 
in review, and when the soldiers massed they sang “ The Star Spangled 
Banner” and waved their flags. 

After an excellent address by His Excellency Governor Reynolds, “The 
Red, White and Blue” was sung, the parade broke ranks, each organization 
going to headquarters. 


Memorial Day 1892. 

Early on the morning of the 30th the citizens of Wilmington prepared 
for the observance of Memorial Day. Business places were closed and the 
buildings were handsomely decorated with flags and streamers and festoons 
of bunting. Everyone was imbued with the spirit of patriotism and wore 
the national colors and carried flowers to decorate the soldiers’ graves. 

At 8 o’clock A. M., Thomas A. Smyth Post, No. 1, with the State Fen- 
cibles Band proceeded to Asbury M. E. Cemetery, under the command of 
Captain Zebley and George W. King, Commander, to fire the military salute 
and strew the accustomed flowers over the graves of their old comrades at 
Old Swedes, Riverview and Wilmington and Brandywine, over the graves 
of Gen. Thomas A. Smyth, Past Dept. W. S. McNair, Col. Grimshaw, Past 
Dept. Com. John N. Dunn, Comrade Jochen and others. 

The duPont Post went to duPont’s Banks and visited .the tomb of Ad¬ 
miral duPont, in the duPont’s private burying ground. Here the regular 
Memorial Day service was held. The Rev. Stephen Morgan, Jr., offered 
prayer, the ritual was read, the tomb was strewn with elegant floral emblems, 
a salute was fired and addresses were given by Mr. Morgan and Past De¬ 
partment Commander P. B. Ayars. Subsequently the veterans were con¬ 
ducted to the duPont clubhouse, where a collation was provided by the 
duPont family. 

Post 4, Chas. Sumner, proceeded to Ezion and Union and decorated the 
graves of their comrades at the New Cathedral Cemetery. Phil Sheridan, 
Post No. 23, with Hyatt’s Military Band went to the old Cathedral, Wil¬ 
mington and Brandywine and Riverview. All the posts returned about the 



74 


middle ot the day to their post rooms and partook of a handsome collation 
prepared by the auxiliaries of the posts. 

The order of parade was as follows: 

Platoon of mounted police. 

Chief Marshal and Staff. 

FIRST DIVISION. 

Past Department Commander Daniel Ross, commanding. 

First Regiment Fife and Drum Corps. 

First Battalion, ist Regiment, N G. D. ( Major E. Mitchell, Jr., 
commanding. 

Company C, Captain I. Pusey Wickersham, commanding. 

Company A. Captain Wm. Hanna, commanding. 

Company F, Captain William Condon, commanding. 

SECOND DIVISION. 

Past Department Commander Peter B. Ayars, commanding. 
Department Commander George B Stradley and staff, mounted. 

Past Department Commanders, mounted. 

State Fencibles Band. 

General Thomas A. Smyth Post, No. I, George W. King, Commander. 
Brandywine Flute Band. 

Admiral S. F. duPont Post, No. 2, Moses B. Gist, commander. 
Harding Brass Band. 

Charles Sumner Post, No. 4, Andrew Gray, commander. 

U. S. Grant Post, No. 13, Moses B. Bullock, commander. 

Hyatt’s Military Band. 

General Phil. Sheridan Post, No. 23, A. J. Schrack, commander. 
Disabled Veterans in coaches. 

Sons of Veterans. 

Garfield Camp, No. 2, A. W. Peters, captain commanding. 

John A. Logan Camp, No. 4, J. W. Milliss, captain commanding. 

. U. S. Grant Camp, No. 3, William Holliss, captain commanding. 

THIRD DIVISION. 

Past Post Commander, William O’Connor, commanding. 

Troop B, N. G. D., mounted, Captain E. L. Rice commanding. 
Headquarters wagons. 

First Regiment Band. 

Uniform Rank, K. of P , Thomas Mullki, captain commanding. 
Wesley Cadet Corps, Lewis J. Dewsnop, captain commanding. 
William Robinson Fife and Drum Corps. 

Patriotic Order Sons of America, Camps Nos. 2, 3 and 5, with invited guests. 
Order of Heptasophs. or S. W. M. 

Senator Higgins, Mayor Willey, President and Members of City Council, 
Board of Police Commissioners, Board of Public Education, Board 
of Health, Street and Sewer Commissioners, Officers of 
Municipal Court and other officials in carriages. 

After returning from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ monument the procession 
was halted in front of the Court House. On the lawn on the north side the 
space at the east end was roped off from the building line to a point midway 
the building line and the sidewalk. In this space about 1,500 school 
children were assembled. In front of them was a platform abouc 15 feet 
square, which had been erected for the use of those invited to deliver 
addresses. Mayor Willey presided. Speeches of a patriotic nature were 
given by Senator Higgins, Past Department Commander Ayars and Hugh 
C. Browne, Esq. The addresses were interspersed with singing by the 


75 

children. C, B. Rhoads was musical director and Wm. J. Parry, accom¬ 
panist. 

Grand Army Committee on Memorial Day comprised, Chairman Chas. 
A. Foster; Secretary, A. H. Mason; Treasurer, Wm. Haley, and five from 
each post in the city and the Sons of Veterans. 


SENATOR HIGGINS’ SPEECH. 

United States Senator Anthony Higgins began an eloquent address, by 
saying that it was an unexpected pleasure. He said that the great con¬ 
course of people made it a most evident that year by year the interest is 
growing deeper in those heroic men who gave up their lives that the country 
might live. The people met to strew flowers on their graves. All join to 
keep warm in our hearts the memory of those who endured so much for our 
sake. 

In the country was early planted slavery, which was against its princi¬ 
ples and afterward culminated in the bloodiest war of modern times. Such 
struggles have nowhere been seen as that, and for four years it waged with 
doubtful results, showing marvels of bravery, of heroism, that to-day fill 
one’s heart with inspiration. God was on the side of the right, the victory 
was with the Union—that Union which Washington helped to found—that 
Union which Lincoln and Grant helped to save. 

No one suffered death for treason, nor was one tried. Jefferson Davis 
died in his bed. When Lee’s sword was offered to him, General Grant re¬ 
fused to accept it, and he told the soldiers to keep their side-arms and their 
horses. Now the country is united. There are no men so patriotic as the 
Confederates. The south has sprung forward in its industrial development 
as never before. None give more thanks to the victors than does the van¬ 
quished themselves. 

There is to be no more war in this country. There is no place for the 
man oh horseback, the country is not ruled by soldiery nor by an army, but 
the people are free. The country is now going on the peaceful paths of in¬ 
dustry. It is no wonder the people remember the soldiers and pour out of 
the treasury libations of pensions, which has no parallel on the face of the 
earth. Senator Higgins closed with an appropriate quotation. 


Address of Hugh C. Browne, Esq. 

“Again has the magic touch of spring transformed nature, apparently 
lifeless, into a living thing—the trees and plants have yielded forth their 
foliage, the tiny blades of grass have pushed through the crusts of winter ; 
again are the emerald fields and meadows resplendent in their virgin beauty; 
once more has she painted the flowers with the beautiful tints borrowed from 
the arched bow of Heaven. The gloom of winter has melted away before 
the approaching spring, at whose call nature answers with bursting buds and 
blossoms. 

“ ’Tis in this season, plucking the sweet and fragrant harbingers of 
spring, we lay them upon the graves of the departed heroes of the nation. 
On this day all over the land assemble, with their loving friends, the surviv¬ 
ing veterans of the grandest army of the grandest republic to pay their annual 
tribute to their fallen comrades—they who in the dark days of the civil strife 
stood with them shoulder to shoulder upon fields of victory and defeat, who 
shared the fortunes and reverses of army life ; they who fell in the midst of 
war, and they who since have fallen defeated at the hands of that dread 
enemy, death. 




76 

“You who at your country’s call responded so willingly, you who laid 
upon our alters the sacrifice of your very lives, with loving memories recall 
the days when side by side and shoulder to shoulder you marched to the de¬ 
fence of your country’s flag. You the living who by their side fought on 
many a battlefield and with them shared the hardships of a soldier’s life, you 
come to lay upon their graves the wreaths of undying remembrance of your 
comradeship. 

“We who were born just as the echoes of the last cannon shot were dy¬ 
ing away and had no part in that conflict, in veneration of you and your 
dead comrades, come to pay our tribute of respect. 

“As the years go by and your ranks are thinned by the attacks of that 
dread foe against whom none can stand, those to whom will pass the 
heritage of the nation will, with each succeeding day of decoration, carry out 
this beautiful* mission of strewing the graves of you and your comrades 
with flowers and recall with each passing anniversary your gallant deeds. 
Time may come and time may go, but the devotion of a grateful nation to 
its defenders will be. exhibited at each succeeding Decoration Day while 
the republic stands. 

“The associations of this day are hallowed. Sacred to you who pay 
this tribute to your fallen comrades and to us who hold it the greatest of 
privileges to join you in honoring the champions of the cause of the Union. 
To those who to-day by their sorrowful tears water the graves of departed 
fathers, husbands, sons, brothers and lovers—tears shed by those upon 
whom heavy fell the hand of sorrow and affliction—you women whose words 
of cheer and love dispelled the gloom of many of the darkest hours of that 
awful conflict, you whose tender care and nursing saved the life of many a 
boy in blue, you who in the sad memories of those bitter hours sit down 
with stricken hearts for the love of the past, let there come to you upon 
whom heaviest fell the cruelties of a merciless war the consciousness 
of gratitude of an entire Republic for the heroic sacrifice of all that was 
dearest on earth to you. 

“Veterans, you and your dead comrades, esteeming the noble heritage 
of our glorious Republic as your very lives, came to the rescue of your suf¬ 
fering land, came that the Stars and Stripes should still continue to float as 
a symbol of freedom and national unity from the rushing torrent of Njagara 
to the warm waters of the gulf, from the blushing orchards of Delaware, to 
where the setting sun as it passes through the Golden Gate of the West 
kisses America its last good night; came that the integrity of the Union 
might be preserved in its entirety. 

“The Almighty in His wise dispensation of Providence saw fit that 
America, bought by the blood of the noble patriots of the Revolution, should 
be preserved by the blood of the noble patriots of the Rebellion. 

When the American of Americans, that noble Roman of them all, saw 
the threatening danger to the Government and called for defenders, the an¬ 
swer came back from all over the land : We are coming, Father Abraham, 
ioo.ooo strong.’ They did come, and what an army was that ? Side by 
side marched the minister of the Gospel and the mechanic, the college pro¬ 
fessor and the farmer, the student and the merchant, the lawyer and the 
laborer. No trained soldiery to claim command, but from their own ranks 
were their officers chosen. The citizen soldiery of America was the wonder 
of the world. Undaunted he faced the storm of shot and shell, but when 
the battle was over none were more prompt than he to bind up the wounds 
of the stricken enemy—none quicker than he to share with them his last 
morsel. Time has never presented such a spectacle. Those who, in the 
early days of *61, were pursuing their respective callings in life, in a few 
months were transformed into a magnificent army, equipped and ready for 
the awful conflict of civil war. The toilers of the land one day, the next, 


77 


the glorious defenders of the Nation. Every man in that mghty host loved 
his country as his life; loved the government that made him the peer of his fel- 
lowman, the government that bestowed upon him those inalienable rights 
which are denied in every land except where floats the Stars and Stripes. 

“ Equipped and trained, eager and ready, brave and courageous, the 
citizen soldiery of America went into the battle—victorious and triumphant 
they returned to their homes, returned that now the rattle of musketry had 
been supplanted by the hum of industry. Those who had been valiant in 
war enlisted in the grand army of America’s toilers, they beat their swords 
into plow-shares and their spears into pruning hooks. 

“ Merciless and cruel as that awful conflict was, yet it marked the begin¬ 
ning of an era in history the achievements of which have never been sur¬ 
passed nor even equalled in all the annals of time. Such a period of de¬ 
velopment and material growth as seems almost impossible, and to day no 
section of the country reaps the benefit of a solidified Union than that sec¬ 
tion which endeavored to release itself from the Union. Thank Heaven 
where once the bonds of national unity seemed to be loosening, to-day are 
nowhere the States bound together more firmly than in the South, and where 
once was heard the clanking of the iron letters of bondage, to-day is the 
roar of the furnace and the hum of the loom. 

“ The time was when the black clouds of internal conflict overhung the 
sky. The thunder crashes of civil strife could almost be heard, internal 
dissension had arisen The sovereignty of the State was arrayed against 
the sovereignty of the Union. Which was to conquer? Was the Federal 
Union to be broken ? Were the bonds of national confederation to be torn 
asunder ? Were two flags to float in place of one ? No, came the answer 
in thunderous tones. No, was the answer when at Appomattox Lee sur¬ 
rendered to Grant. Heaven to-day smiles upon a nation more compact 
than ever. Upon a - Union more united than in its previous existence. 
Columbia, once tottering and reeling as her life blood poured from her 
wounded breast, to-day behold the States bound as by bonds of adaman¬ 
tine strength. The wound is healing. God grant that never may it be torn 
'open again, but let the hands of the North and the South, clasped in tender 
grasp, hide from the world the nation’s sorrow. 

“ Laurels and roses, 

Lillies and cypress, 

Kissed by the starlight, 

Waked by the sun; 

Lay them, oh! tenderly, 

Over the heroes 

Of the cause that was lost, 

And the cause that was won. 

Better than laurels, 

Sweeter than roses, 

Whiter than lillies, 

Purer than dew; 

Are the pledge of forgiveness, 

The hands clasped in friendship, 

The peace and the prayers 
O’er the Gray and the Blue!” 

“While we live gratitude as well as duty demands this tribute to the 
defenders of the nation. We to our children, they to theirs, and so while 
the republic stands shall it be the duty of each succeeding generation to 
hand down to its posterity the Union in its integrity. All coming time shall 
sing on your valor and your deeds, As the strains of the songs of your 
heroism reverberate through the ages they shall serve as an inspiration to 
preserve the trust which has been bestowed upon them. Future ages will 


owe to you a debt of gratitude which can be repaid only by a strict adhe¬ 
rence to those principles of freedom, liberty and patriotism which inspired 
you when you took up arms to defend your country in her hours of distress. 

“And now by the last bugle call, by the dying reverberations of the last 
cannon shot, by the final shouts of victory and the groans of defeat, by a 
flag triumphant, by a government vindicated are we called together on this 
sacred Memorial day to do homage to the honored dead. 

“May the republic never forget its defenders, never may the day come 
when it shall be said of America she fails in her duty to her preservers. 
But once a year let us turn aside from our daily walks of life and with lov¬ 
ing hands and tender memories lay upon their graves the newly-blossoming 
flowers of love and the immortelles of gratitude.” 


Memorial Day 1893. 

The observance of Memorial Day, just past, was very quiet. A number 
of the veterans, accompanied by some of the public school boys marched 
to the cemeteries in the morning and decorated the graves of the fallen 
heroes with bright flowers. 

In the afternoon the parade was formed at 2.30 o’clock. All along the 
line of parade was decorated with bunting, flags, etc. It moved in the 
following order : 

Platoon of Police. 

Chief Marshal Jacob Slifer and staff. 

Department Commander and staff. 

Past Department Commanders. 

Smyth Post Band. 

Smyth Post, No. 1, Samuel J. Wood, commander. 

Dupont Post Drum Corps. 

Dupont Post, No. 2. Henry Stradley, commander. 

Garfield Camp, Sons of Veterans, Geo. J. Adams, commander. 

Drum Corps. 

High School boys and lads from schools Nos. 1, 4, and 5 and others 
numerically in line, Past Post commander Joseph Duffy, 
marshal, and Lewis B. Wright, aid. 

City Officers. 

Mayor and Council, Board of Education, in carriages. 

After passing over the route announced, the procession halted in front 
of the stand in Eighth Street Park. 

An immense crowd had gathered at the “Eighth Street Park when the 
veterans arrived, and an animated scene was presented. Junior Vice-Com¬ 
mander Peter B. Avars presided. The school children, led by J. T. Cly- 
mer, director of music, sang “ America,” followed by prayer by the Rev. 
S. M. Morgan, Jr., of Mt. Salem M. E. Church. The children then sang 
“Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean,” and when finished Chief Justice 
Charles B. Lore was introduced and delivered an oration. 

A SYNOPSIS OF THE ORATION. 

Soldiers of the Grand Army of the Republic, your General Order No. 4 
styles this Memorial Day as the “day of flowers and sadness, of memory 
and hope.” 

Flowers you have already strewn upon the graves of the veteran dead. 
If in the spirit world they can look down upon you to-day, what a thrill of 
joy and gladness must be theirs, at this act of homage rendered by the last 
fading remnant of the old guard, and by a loving people, to the memory of 
those who fell in battle, or were swept away by war’s scourges, wounds and 



79 


disease. Tenderly you have trodden over their graves ; lovingly you have 
laid upon those graves bouquets, wreaths and chaplets of flowers plucked 
from mother earth in this her spring time. Flowers which are nature’s 
spring promises of autumn’s fruit and abundance, and which are the 
earthly expression of divine perfection. 

Most wonderful of all in the page of human history, you have strewn 
those flowers impartially upon the graves of Union and of Confederate dead, 
Those who wore the blue and the gray alike have been the recipients of 
your bounty. In the city of the dead you have banished the memory of all 
faults and cherished only virtues. The choicest flower of human virtue, 
charity, has bloomed this day in all its fullness, while as representatives of 
a united people you have decorated the graves of the nation’s dead. Then 
indeed it has been a day of flowers, the promises of God’s love and forgive¬ 
ness to fallen men. 

It has also been a day of sadness. The flowers, the wreaths, the chap¬ 
lets, all these tokens of your love have been laid upon graves ; laid over 
the dust of the dead, in burial places where the dwellers have lost the power 
of speech and are silent in death. They represent many a desolate home, 
many a widow, many an orphan, many a home in which the light went out 
and the strong arm of support and protection was broken, when the dead 
warrior was laid in his now decorated grave. It is sad to remember that the 
strong man has fallen ; that broken hearts and darkened homes, and long 
years of struggle and agony cluster mayhap about each little mound in the 
grave-yard. It is a day of sadness, but we remember that they were brave 
and true, and that they now live in the memory of the people. 

In speaking of the surrender of General Lee and his army he said ; 
“This day carries us back twenty-eight years to the 9th day of April, 1865, 
when at Appomattox Court House the most gigantic war of modern times 
ended in the surrender of General Lee to General Grant. At daybreak on 
that memorable day, pressed by the cavalry of Sheridan in front, by the 
infantry of General Grant in the rear, surrounded by the Union army, the 
20,000 half starved Confederates, who had eaten little or nothing since the 
morning of April 1st, saw General Lee ride out of the Confederate camp in 
his best uniform, begirt with his sword, to ask for mercy at the hands of 
the conquering Grant. As he came back again from the interview with the 
terms of surrender, an eye witness says: 

“ Whole lines of battle rushed up to their beloved old chief, and chok¬ 
ing with emotion, broke ranks and struggled with each other to wring him 
once more by the hand. Men who had fought through the war, and knew 
what the agony and humiliation of that moment must be to him, strove with 
a refinement of unselfishness and tenderness which he alone could fully 
appreciate, to lighten his burden and to mitigate his pain. With tears pour¬ 
ing down his cheeks, General Lee at length commanded voice enough to 
say : “Men, we have fought throughout the war together; I have done the 
best I could for you.” 

“ Not an eye that looked on that scene was dry,” and yet they were 
“ rough and rugged men, familiar with hardships, dangers and death in a 
thousand shapes.” It is said, “ there is no passage in the history of this 
war, which for years to come will be more honorably mentioned and grate¬ 
fully remembered than the demeanor on the 9th day of April, 1865, of 
General Grant to General Lee.” His bearing and that of the officers about 
him, was the perfection of delicate courtesy and real greatness to a fallen 
foe. Some of you veterans, perchance, were there that day, eye witnesses 
of that surrender. To such this day of memory will bring back fully the 
scene. 

To all of you this day brings the memory of the days in camp or on 
he march ; by the cheerful bivouac fire or on the lonely and fearsome picket 




8 o 

post; the fearful horror before the battle, then the reckless dash through 
storms of shot and shell. How you stood Union and Confederate on either 
side of the line, shot each at the other in cold blood, then forgetting war in 
a common brotherhood, called a truce and swapped coffee and sugar for 
tobacco, gently calling each other “ Fed," and “ Reb.” 

Referring to the results and lessons of the great conflict he said; 

“ It wiped out the one blot on the nation’s escutcheon, human slavery. 

It taught both sections, north and south, that manhood knew no sectional 
lines, but was a common product of these young people ; this unique blend¬ 
ing of the blood of the best nation of the old world. It taught us to respect 
each other. 

It taught us that these sister states, born in the forest, cradled in the 
hardest struggles of pioneer life, nursed of liberty and chosen of God, in 
the bond of Union were to be the leaders of nations; not sundered in 
warring fragments, but cemented in the enduring bonds of national life. 

It taught all our people to revere anew the flag of our country and all 
it symbolizes— life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness with the least 
possible abatement of individual rights—no flag ever floated over ship, cita¬ 
del or hearthstone that meant so much, and expressed such possibilities of 
human hope in its continuance as the stars and stripes, our national emblem. 
Drake fitly paints it in these words: 

Flag of the free heart’s hope and home ! 

By angel hands to valor given ; 

Thy stars have lit the welkin dome, 

And all thy hues were born in Heaven. 

The war has crystallized devotion to the flag into national virtue. 

We have not only raised it at the mast-head of our vessels in every sea, 
and over every military encampment, but it now floats over every school 
house in the land, and the nation with renewed ardor has caught up Drake’s 
refrain : 

Forever float that standard sheet! 

Where breathes the foe but falls before us, 

With freedom’s soil beneath our feet 

And freedom’s banner streaming o’er us. 

It the war had only revived an undying love for the flag of our country, 
it would be much ; when we look at the results just detailed, we realize that 
we have been purified as with fire and have had a new national birth. 

The storm purifies and sweetens the air* we breathe. The wreckage 
left behind marks its path and power. From this great national storm has 
emerged a more heroic American manhood. Its wreckage invokes this day 
of flowers, sadness and memory. Its grand results light up the future with 
hope’s greatest fruitage of national greatness and possibilities. Who shall 
measure the strides of the young giant, thus stripped of every weight and 
moving on the line of human hope unfettered, clothed with the power of 
freedom, and aiming at the highest human development. 

Your work is nearly done. Every year your thinner ranks mark the 
approaching end of your earthly labor; but remember, those labors have 
made this day the day of the nation’s hope. These boys and girls, young 
men and young women who have joined you in this memorial service, will 
take up the thread of life and the work of national development where you 
have left it, and will cherish in the years to come the hope of human triumph 
which your lives have made possible. They will see to it that the United 
States are ever in the van of the nations of the earth. In their keeping it 
may be sung of America as Campbell did of Britannia: 


America needs no bulwark, 

No towers along the steep, 

Her march is o’er the mountain waves, 

Her home is on the deep. 

Leading all people in the arts of peace, her mission will not be ended 
until the nation forget war and learn peace: 

Till danger’s troubled night depart, 

And the star of peace return. 

When the Chief Justice had concluded the children sang “The Star 
Spangled Banner,'’ after which the Rev. L. E. Barrett delivered the follow¬ 
ing address: 

I am glad to be here to-day, with my face toward the future, as repre¬ 
sented by these boys from our public schools With the precious memories 
of the past that cluster about me as I look at these “boys in blue,” with 
their gray beards and bronzed faces, indicating the exposure and hardship 
of the battlefield, with the inspiring music of these bands, and with the 
eloquent and warm-hearted words of the Chief Justice of our State, ringing 
through the chambers of my soul. 

Of the noted days in our national calendar, this, to me, is full of sig¬ 
nificance and precious memories. The Fourth of July commemorates the 
birth of this republic—it is the anniversary of that glad day when the bell 
of Independence Hall rang out the glad tidings that the colonies were deter¬ 
mined to be free from the galling yoke of oppression, and that body 
of brave men, taking their lives in their hands, affixed their signatures to a 
document that rendered their names and fame immortal. The 22d of 
February is the anniversary of the birth of him who, leaning upon the arm 
of the God of battles, and trusting in the justice of the cause, led the 
colonial troops through a long warfare to ultimate victory, and who, as the 
first President of the young republic, laid down principles and precedents 
that have become the unwritten law of the land. But this 30th day of May 
calls up events as important and as far-reaching as any that mark the 
annals of our country. 

He spoke of the gratitude and respect shown the soldiers in the general 
suspension of business, and of the greatness and boundless resources of 
the country for which they fought. 

Continuing he said: 

“ Our gratitude will be the deeper and more lasting when we consider 
that certain great facts and principles were emphasized and forever settled 
by the issue of the conflict through which these veterans passed. 

1. The Character and Stability of the Union—Our fathers bequeathed 
to us a form of government and constitution which, it was believed, would 
insure us perpetuity, prosperity and happiness. The Federal government 
was the sun, around which the States were to revolve in harmony, each 
State being held in position by the centripetal or attractive force of the 
central government. The plan was beautiful and well conceived. States¬ 
men from across the water pointed their jeweled fingers at us and declared 
that such a system could not and would not stand—that men could not 
govern themselves, but there must be a sceptre and a crown before the 
people would yield obedience. 

A large party in the southern part of the Union took alarm because of 
what they conceived to be Federal encroachment upon reserved rights. 
They honestly believed their rights and property to be in danger, and to 
preserve these they proposed and carried out as far as they could, withdrawal 
from the Union, and the setting up of an independent and separate con¬ 
federacy. If this be allowed the sacrifices of the past were unavailing, the 
system of government a mockery. This course was resisted by the Federal 


government and civil war ensued. The surrender at Appomattox forever 
settled this question and we all rejoice in the decision. We are not a con¬ 
federacy of States, but a Union, abiding and indestructible. 

2. Human Liberty.—When our fathers left us the Constitution, with all 
its wisdom and conservatism, we found in it a cancerous affection eating its 
way towards the vitals of the republic. The right of property in human 
beings was recognized and protected. Some have found fault with our 
fathers for this fatal defect, but let us not be too harsh in our judgment. 
The recognition of slavery in the Constitution was the result of compromise. 
It was either to tolerate slavery or have no Constitution at all. Great insti¬ 
tutions are often based on compromise, not a mean and craven sentiment, 
as some think, but a spirit of conciliation and magnaminity, without which 
there can be no union or stability. The English and Roman constitutions 
were the results of compromise and concession. 

But the spirit of liberty was growing in the minds and hearts of the 
American people, and slavery being antagonistic to that spirit was doomed. 
Every gun fired during this war was a shaft that struck the manacles of the 
slave, and every sword thrust was a cutting of the Gordian knot. And now 
throughout the length and breadth of this land—from the great lakes of the 
north 10 the gulf of the south ; from our eastern seaboard, where the Atlan¬ 
tic dashes its crested waves upon the shore, to the Pacific, where California 
shakes her golden tresses in the sunlight, there is not heard the clanking of 
the fetters of the slave—the flag of a united country which to-day kisses 
the breeze from tree top and valley, literally waves over “the land of the 
free.” 

3. Human equality.—Jefferson set forth this great principle in the Dec¬ 
laration of Independence, but only during the past quarter of a century has 
it been a living reality. Like the wheat seed held in the hand of the Egypt¬ 
ian mummy, this principal could not grow until placed in proper soil. It is 
now a thrifty plant, and is yielding a bountiful harvest. Avenues of indus¬ 
try, honor and emolument are open to all classes and conditions. Our 
glorious public school system, the pride and security of our nation, affords 
educational privilege to all, thus fitting them to step into any position and to 
attain any height. There is, in this country, no royal road to success. 

4. Loyalty to the Republic.—The great apostle found it convenient 
upon a certain occasion, to claim loyalty to Rome. What true American 
does not rejoice to say, “ I am an American citizen.” He is loyal to his 
whole country—not only to Massachusetts, but to South Carolina—he loves 
every foot of soil in every State of the Union. 

Boys, when asked the meaning of Decoration Day, I want you to be 
able to answer that it means an indissoluble union, human liberty and 
equality and whole hearted loyalty. These men that you see here to-day, 
dressed in blue, some with armless sleeves, others bearing wounds upon 
their bodies, all going toward the sunset, are the men who secured these 
blessings for us—who periled their lives that we might enjoy the rich 
heritage. When you think of these things and study the history of the 
civil war, let your young hearts warm towards those who fought for you 
and your country. After a while you will be men and occupy positions of 
trust and responsibility. Never forget the debt of gratitude you owe to the 
soldier, and you can pay this debt by being true, as I believe you will, to 
the principles of American liberty. 

Soldiers of the G. A. R., I hail you upon this glad day. Your ranks are 
growing less as the days go by. The last tattoo will soon beat, and you re¬ 
tire to the sleep of the grave. May you all, after having “ fought the good 
fight of faith lay hold upon eternal life” and be marshaled at last upon the 
plains of glory. This Republic will not, cannot forget you, but when you 


«3 

pass from our sight your graves will receive the flowers, the emblems of a 
nation’s love and gratitude. 

The park fairly rung with applause as this talented orator took his seat, 
and it seemed as though he had touched a chord in every heart. 

The exercises were concluded with a song by the children, the singing 
of the doxology and the benediction by the Rev. Mr. Morgan. 

The Grand Army committee on arrangements for Memorial Day exer¬ 
cises consisted of: Chairman, P. B. Ayars ; Secretary, John Orr; Treasurer, 
Elwood Craig. 


“Columbus Day.” 

October 21st, 1892, was set apart by a proclamation of President Harri¬ 
son as a national holiday, in commemoration of the discovery of America 
by Christopher Columbus, to be known as “Columbus Day.” 

A general order was issued by General Palmer, Commander-in-Chief of 
the Grand Army of the Republic, that the Grand Army participate in the 
celebration of that day with the public schools throughout the country. 
Everywhere patriotic services were held, the Grand Army and the school 
children having the most prominent part. 

In Wilmington, details of the posts of G. A. R. attended the flag raising 
at the different schools, and made patriotic speeches. In the afternoon 
pupils of the schools, dressed in red, white and blue, were arranged to rep¬ 
resent the flag on a platform which was erected before the Court House. 

Posts 1, 2, 4, 13 and 23 were in the parade, and they presented a fine 
appearance. The Chief Marshal of the parade was Col. Wm. B. Norton, 
of Post 23, G. A. R. His aids, Peter B. Ayars, of Post 2, Junior Vice-Com- 
mander-in-Chief, and Daniel Ross, of Post 1, Past Department Commander, 
were division officers. Dr. Jas. H. Morgan was Chief of Staff. 

In the parade were public school boys, clad in red, white and blue ; fra¬ 
ternal and religious orders, bands of music and carriages containing promi¬ 
nent officials and citizens. The commercial interests of the city were repre¬ 
sented by floats of various kinds. It was one of the largest parades the city 
has ever known. 


Sketch of the Life of Gen. Thomas A. Smyth. 

Gen. Thos. A. Smyth was born December 25, 1832, in Ballyhooly, 
county of Cork, Ireland, and received a limited education. He came to 
America in August, 1854, and settled in Philadelphia as a wood-carver. He 
served with General Walker in Nicaragua, and in 1858 came to Wilmington, 
where he married Miss Amanda M. Ponder. 

In April, 1861, he raised the first company for the three months service, 
numbering about eighty men, who went to Philadelphia in May, and joined 
the Twenty-Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers. After the mustering out of 
the regiment Captain Smyth returned to Wilmington, where, on October 
22d, he was elected major of the First Delaware Regiment. He was in 
charge of this regiment at Antietam, September 17, 1862; at Fredericks¬ 
burg, December 13, 1862; at the battles of Chancellorsville, May 1 to 4, 
1863 ; battles of Auburn and Bristoe Station, Va., October 14th; at Locust 
Grove, November 27th ; Mine Run, November 30th, 1863, and Stony Moun¬ 
tain, Va., on February 4, 1864. 





8 4 



In April, 1864, he was assigned to the command of the Irish brigade, 
and fought with it in the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania. At 
the battle of High Bridge, April 7th, when Gen. Smith was riding in 
advance with his staff on the skirmish line, he was mortally wounded by a 
confederate sharp-shooter. He died on the day of Lee’s surrender, two 
days afterward, and, it is said, was the last general officer on the Union side 
killed in the war. 

His body was embalmed and brought to Delaware, where it was 
interred with appropriate honors. He was one of the bravest officers in the 
army, self-made and thoroughly reliable, and reached the position which he 
occupied without political influence, and through his own indomitable pluck 
and courage. Commissioned major. October 10, 1861; he was promoted 
lieutenant-colonel December 18, 1862; colonel, February 23, 1863, and 
brigadier general, October 1, 1864. 


A Poem Did It. 

What Brought About the Promotion of a Gallant 
Union Officer. 

To the Editor of the Evening Star, Washington, D. C. 

For some time in the fall of 1863 and spring of 1864, Col. Smyth com¬ 
manded the Irish brigade and second division, second army corp, and the 
whole army wondered why he was not promoted. His reputation as a 






85 

* 

masterly soldier was of the highest, but he was no politician, and in spite of 
every effort of his friends his claims were unnoticed, until in sheer despera¬ 
tion old “Lara Reynolds,” surgeon, Irish brigade, wrote the inclosed. A 
copy falling into the hands of Gen. Grant he was then immediately pro¬ 
moted, thus showing how small a thing will sometimes produce results the 
most strenuous efforts failed to accomplish. Gen. Smyth was the last general 
officer killed in our civil war. He had three horses shot under him and his 
clothing cut several times, went through thirty-five engagements and fell 
the morning Lee surrendered. If you deem it worthy of publication it 
would no doubt prove very interesting to many of the survivors of the old 
second army corps, all of whom knew him. 

Respectfully, 

C. B. TANNER, 

Late A. D. C., 2d div., 2d A. C., 
Army of the Potomac. 


“There’s Not a Star for You, Tom Smyth.” 

(A song addressed to the brave Col. Thos. A. Smyth of Wilmington, first 
regiment of Delaware volunteers, by Raurence Reynolds, surgeon Sixty-Third 
Regiment New York volunteers, Irish brigade.) 

Though stars are falling very thick, 

On many a curious spot; 

And warriors rising very quick, 

Who never heard a shot. 

Still, though you periled limb and life, 

And many a fight went through, 

And laurels won in every strife, 

There’s not a star for you, Tom Smyth, 

There’s not a star for you. 

’Tis true, when close the hostile lines, 

The headlong charge you lead, 

And your sword, glory’s beacon, shines, 

In front of your brigade ; 

But you can’t like a courtier grin, 

No little work can do, 

So you perchance a ball may win ; 

But there’s no star for you, Tom Smyth, 

There’s not star for you. 

Whene’er you tread the crimson sod, 

Your form and soul expand ; 

In olden times you’d seem a god, 

Not Hancock’s self more grand, 

But then your sword, a wily tongue, 

Far greater deeds can do ; 

For while stars grace the gabby throng, 

There’s not a star for you, Tom Smyth, 

There’s not a star for you. 

No coward in the ranks is seen, 

When gallant Smyth appears. 

Men kindle at his voice and mien, 

And move on with gay cheers. 

Smyth’s spirit moves the glowing mass, 

Deeds past their power to do ; 

Yet while such things you bring to pass, 

There’s not a star for you, Tom Smyth, 

There’s not a star for you. 



86 


But by you for no selfish cause 
Is battle’s flag unfurled, 

You fight to save our glorious laws, 

To bless the future world. 

Brave Hancock owns you’re skilled and brave, 
The army own it too 
Then the proud feeling you must have 
Is rank and a star for you, Tom Smyth, 

Is rank and a star for you ! 


History of Hen. Tlios. A. Smyth Post, No. 1, Department of 
Delaware, G. A R., Wilmington, Del. 

The Gen. Thos. A. Smyth Post, No. i, was organized April 14, 1880, 
with Gen. Louis E. Wagner, of Philadelphia, Department Commander of 
Pennsylvania, and Adjutant General Robert B. Beath, of the Department of 
Pennsylvania, as mustering officers. 

The charter members are Robert C. Fraim, Geo. W. King, Henry 
Manlove, John Devnish, Andrew R. Stewart, Wm. Heal, Jas. H. Wright- 
ington, Edward Jochen, Oliver Bliss, Wm. S. McNair, Ferdinand Chairs, 
Daniel Ross, Robert Liddell, Alexander Burleigh, Richard Heritage, 
Thomas Turner, Joseph Mancil, Jacob Lamplugh, Joshua Wainwright, 
Lewis Hahn, Andrew J. Thompson, Charles C. Stout, James Kennedy, 
Ezra Sullivan. 

Others were mustered in the same night. 

Within a few days after the mustering in of the Post, Commander 
Robert C. Fraim received his commission as Provisional Department Com¬ 
mander of the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Delaware, and 
appointed the following staff officers : 

Senior Vice Commander, Comrade John Wainwright, Junior Vice 
Commander, Comrade J. S. Valentine; Assistant Adjutant General, Com¬ 
rade Wm. S. McNair; Quartermaster General, Comrade Wm. Y. Swiggett. 

Past Post Commanders.—James McDowell, Thomas J. Keables, Zachariah 
Pickels, Jas. H. Wrightington, Andrew J. Thompson, Oliver Bliss, Robert 
Liddell, Alex. Burleigh, Jacob Slifer, Samuel Lewis, Sylvester Solomon, 
Richard McClennan, Geo. W. King. 

Present Officers.—Post Commander, Comrade Samuel J. Wood ; Senior 
Vice Commander, Comrade Chas. N. Pierce ; Junior Vice Commander, 
Comrade John Devnish; Chaplain, Comrade Lewis Hahn; Officer 
of the Day, Comrade Wm. Baker; Officer of the Guard, Comrade 
Daniel Lysinger ; Quartermaster, Comrade Samuel Lewis ; Adjutant, Com¬ 
rade Sylvester Solomon; Sergeant Major, Comrade Joseph B. Brower; 
Quartermaster Sergeant, Comrade Henry Manlove ; Inner Sentinel, Com¬ 
rade Geo. Wood ; Outer Sentinel, Comrade Joseph Honey. 

Trustees, Samuel J. Wood, Charles N. Peirce, George Ruess. 

During the past thirteen years the post was honored five times; five 
Department Commanders being chosen from its membership, viz :—Wm. S. 
McNair, Daniel Ross, John M. Dunn, Robert C. Fraim and Samuel Lewis. 
Of these Comrades McNair and John M. Dunn have been mustered out of 
our ranks by death, also Past Post Commanders James H. Wrightington and 
Andrew J. Thompson. 

Past Post Commander Oliver Bliss was transferred to the Department 
of Massachusetts; Zachariah Pickels to the Department of the Potomac, 
Thos. T. Keables to Post 2, Department of Delaware. 

Value of property, $1,500; expended for charity since organization, 
$7,000; during last year, $300. Memorial Day is always observed by the 



87 


post taking active part in decorating the graves and firing salutes. The 
pupils of Public Schools Nos. 12, 17 and 20 marched with the Post to River- 
view, on Memorial Day, May 30, 1893, and assisted in the work of 
strewing flowers over the departed heroes. 


Camp Eire. 

The monthly camp fire of the Thomas A. Smyth Post, No. 1, G. A. R., 
was held on February 23, 1891. After a brief business meeting the doors 
were opened to the public. Comrade George King presided, and a brief 
speech was made by Col. Norton, of Post 23, and Comrade Kendall, of the 
same post, sang a popular song. 

Comrade Foster, of Post 1, made a brief speech and read a poem, 
“The Grand Old Army Boys.” 


The Old Grand Army Boys 

You may talk about the Masons, 

And the Odd Fellows, and such; 

You may call them so fraternal 
As to fairly beat the Dutch. 

You may praise them if you choose to 
With their mystic rites and noise, 

But they cannot hold a candle 
To the Old Grand Army Boys. 

For a man that has the money 
Can learn all about the craft, 

He can get degrees and pass words, 
That would make a funeral laugh, 
And be loaded down with symbols, 

But for true fraternal joys, 

They can never hold a candle 
To the Old Grand Army Boys. 

You may talk about your badges, 

But the one that has the call, 

Is the star and flag and eagle, 

That is far above them all. 

It was won when cannon thundered 
Mid the battle’s smoke and noise, 

So there’s nothing holds a candle 
To the Old Grand Army Boys. 

Why, they fought and bled together, 
And they shared the prison pen, 

And they faced the front in battle 
With the elbow touch in men, 

Then the compact was cemented, 

’Mid the conflict’s crash and noise, 

So there’s nothing holds a candle 
To the Old Grand Army Boys. 

They fraternal ? Well, I reckon, 

And their charity’s all right. 

Are they loyal? They have proved it, 
For they left their homes to fight, 
And the nation owes them homage 
For the peace it now enjoys, 

For there’s nothing holds a candle 
To the Old Grand Army Boys. 




88 


Songs were sung by a jubilee quartette. Other speeches were made by 
Past Department Commander Lewis, Post Commander Solomon of Post I, 
Commander Nat. Bayne of Post 2, and by Commander Weil. Lunch of 
bean soup, coffee and crqckers was served. 


Celebration of the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the 0. A. R. 

Exercises commemorating the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the Grand 
Army were held in the post room of Thomas A. Smyth Post, No. 1, Wil¬ 
mington, on Monday evening, April 6th, 1891. Past Department Com¬ 
mander Lewis presided. 

The following address was made by Judge Advocate General R. C. 
Fraim. 

Mr. Chairman , Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen : 

The theme of my address to you this evening will be The Grand Army 
of the Republic, of whom it is composed, and its object and aim. 

In all nations of the earth, from time immemorial, the citizens thereof 
have formed themselves into various associations, for the advancement of 
arts and science, and also for social intercourse, as well as for the building" 
up and establishing objects of benevolence and .charity, and for bettering 
the condition of mankind generally. 

The Grand Army of the Republic is a fraternal and charitable institu¬ 
tion. Its corner stone of Fraternity is laid in the cement of Charity, and it 
is sealed with the Seal of Loyalty. We are convened together on the present 
occasion to celebrate the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of this great, grand and 
noble institution. It is true that we cannot boast about our great antiquity, 
and it is also a great truth, that in a few decades hence, this organization 
will cease to exist. A quarter of a century ago, this order was instituted and 
organized under the name of the Grand Army of the Republic, in the city 
of Springfield, in the State of Illinois, But the Grand Army was in fact, 
brought into existence in April, 1861, when the Southern Rebel Traitors fired 
on the Star Spangled Banner at Fort Sumter. These men whom I see 
around me here to-night, clad in blue, and wearing the insignia of our order, 
are a portion of the grand old army, who when treason stalked broadcast 
through this fair land, who, when traitors were seeking to overthrow this 
great Republic, and trample our free institutions, and our national ensign 
beneath their feet, rose up in mass, at their country’s call, to suppress and 
overturn the slave holders rebellion, the mosCgigantic rebellion of modern 
ages. 

At the first call for volunteers, made by that great, good, noble, sainted 
man, Abraham Lincoln, for 75,000 men, the response came back to him 
from all over the great North, East and West, “all right, Father Abraham, 
we are coming,” and in a few days 75,000 of loyal patriotic men were march¬ 
ing to Washington at their country’s call. 

But when the magnitude of the rebellion became known to President 
Lincoln, he, without delay, issued*acall for 300,000 more volunteers and the 
response came back speedily from all over the hill tops and valleys of the 
great North, East and West, “we are coming, father Abraham, 300,000 
more.” And instantly recruiting stations were formed, and in a very short 
space of time 300,000 more men were armed and equipped, marching to the 
front to battle, to bleed, and if need be die, defending the old flag, the 
emblem of Constitutional American liberty, which had for 85 years proudly 
floated in the breeze, as the National ensign of the United States of America, 
the greatest, noblest, grandest land upon which the sunlight of heaven had 
ever shone. And for nearly four years, those brave, loyal, patriotic men 



8 9 


who at their country’s call, left loving wives, mothers, sisters and infant 
children behind them (many of them without means of support) and met 
those rebel traitors on Southern battle fields, enduring sufferings untold and 
inexpressible, not only on the bloody field of battle, but on long fatiguing 
marches, and as prisoners in filthy rebel prison pens, many of them there 
starving to death for the want of food, but notwithstanding the hardship and 
privations they had to undergo, far away from their homes and loved 
ones, they were undismayed. Knowing the justice and righteousness of the 
cause in which they were engaged they pressed steadily on to meet the 
traitor foes; and hundreds of thousands of those noble men sacrificed their 
lives in this great struggle, that this great nation might live, and thank God, 
through their courage, valor and patriotism, this great nation still lives, as 
one individual country. 

Previous to the outbreak of the slave-holder’s rebellion, we long had 
boasted of this land of freedom, which was not true in fact, for at that time 
4,000,000 of people living therein were held as slaves, and were sold like 
horses and mules in an auction market. Husbands and wives were sold 
apart from each other, and innocent children were torn from the embrace 
of their parents and sold like beasts of burden. 

This dark spot on the escutcheon of our country, disgraced us at home 
and abroad, and because the people of the North, East and West, by an 
overwhelming majority, declared that African slavery should not be ex¬ 
tended over any of the free territory of the United States; the Southern 
slave-holders determined by force and arms to destroy the Federal union by 
secession, and establish on its ruins, a government of which the right to 
hold slaves should be the chief corner stone. For some time after the out¬ 
break of the war, an effort was made to overthrow the rebellion without any 
attempt to wipe out slavery in the states where it existed previous to the at¬ 
tempted secession of the Southern states. So long as the government of 
the United States attempted to do this, they met with reverses and defeat on 
the battle field. But just as soon as that great and good man Abraham 
Lincoln issued his emancipation proclamation, which struck off the shack¬ 
les of 4,000,000 of bond men and bond women and made them free, victory 
perched upon the banners of the Federal troops, and victory after victory 
was achieved. Meade routed the rebel chieftian Lee at Gettysburg ; Grant 
captured the rebel stronghold at Vicksburg, with thousands of prisoners 
and all their military stores and implements of war. The back bone of the 
rebellion was broken by those two great victories; other signal victories 
over the rebels quickly followed on land and sea, which culminated when 
Grant marched up his army at Petersburg in front of Richmond and Sher¬ 
man with his hosts marched triumphantly through Georgia from Atlanta to 
the sea, and the men whom you see here to-night, clothed with the insignia 
of the Grand Army of the Republic, are a remnant of that grand old army 
who still survive. 

The order of the Grand Army of the Republic is composed exclusively 
of men who volunteered in defense of their country in the hour of National 
pent, from 1861 to 1865, and were honorably discharged from the service 
at the expiration of the term of their enlistment or at the close of the war. 
Consequently no man upon whom the stain of treason rests, can become a 
member of the Grand Army of the Republic. As a national consequence,- 
this grand, noble, patriotic association will soon cease to exist. About 26 
years have elapsed since Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox. Out of 
the vast number of veterans who survived at the date of this surrender, 
many thousands of them to-day are silent in death. They have answered 
their last roll call on earth and they have gone to render an account of their 
stewardship with the Grand Commander of the Universe. The great body 
of the men who enlisted during the war, were men comparative young in 


9 o 


years. For a few years after the close of the war. the deaths of the survi¬ 
vors thereof were not very great. They then stepped off the stage of 
action by squads, still later by sections and companies, and they are now 
annually following out by regiments. Our ranks hereafter will very rapidly 
diminish. Twenty years hence, but a very small remnant of the present 
veterans will then be living. The object of forming the veterans after the 
war into Grand Army Posts, was to fraternally unite them together whilst 
any two of them survived, for mutual aid and benefit, to see that none of 
them should suffer for the want of the common necessaries of life, and that 
they should be comfortably cared for, through sickness and old age, and 
that their remains should not be placed in a pauper’s grave, and that they 
should be buried with the honors of war, and that their widows should be 
aided and assisted by their late husband’s former comrades in arms, so far 
as it was possible for them to do so. This is our object and aim. Those 
comrades who have died were our brothers in arms, they with us, gave 
themselves to the defense of our country, and it is our duty to faithfully 
stand up for and protect them when they cannot protect themselves, and 
give them a respectable burial when they die. This we have heretofore done, 
and shall continue to do, so long as it is possible to be done by the posts, 
and we are fully assured that the Sons of Veterans, who must soon entirely 
take the place of the old veterans, will not allow an honorably discharged 
Union soldier to suffer for maintenance and support, or allow his remains to 
fill a pauper’s grave. I have the utmost confidence in the sons of those 
worthy sires, who enlisted at their country’s call to overthrow treason and 
rebellion, and I believe we can safely intrust the future welfare of this great 
country in their hands, and in the hands of the loyal daughters of the old 
veterans who as highly prize the services rendered by their fathers in their 
country’s defense, as do their brothers. During the great struggle of 1861 
and 1865, pen cannot indite, or pencil portray, the sufferings and privations 
many of the veterans’ wives and daughters endured whilst their husbands 
and fathers were for many months and years away from their homes, as 
soldiers, fighting for the overthrow of the rebellion and the prosperity of 
this Republic. Thousands of women sacrificed their health, and even their 
lives as nurses in the hospitals, as well as upon the field, in caring for the 
sick and wounded soldiers. With tender care they bound up his wounds, 
and staunched the flow of his heart’s blood with lint and bandage, with 
sweet smiles they wiped the great drops of sweat from the brows of dying 
comrades, and when the spark of life had fled, they softly and quietly laid 
them down in their last sleep, and prepared their remains for the sepulchre, 
and with patriotic tears moistened the clay which hid the soldiers’ remains 
from human view. Sons and daughters of veterans ever cherish the mem¬ 
ory of those patriotic women, who in your father’s and brother’s last hours, 
ministered peace, joy and consolation to them when far from their own 
friends and firesides. 

If there is any one body of men that should more closely cling together 
than another, whilst any two of them survive, it is the comrades of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, side by side you stood on the battle field 
amidst blood and gore, amidst the rifle’s sharp crack, and the cannon’s 
terrific roar, with comrades falling, bleeding, groaning, dying, all around 
you, you stood side by side defending each other, and defending your 
country ; and whilst life remains comrades should stand firmly by each 
other until they answer their last roll call on earth, which will be but a few 
years hence. 

In my vision I contrast the appearance of those of my comrades here 
with us to-night, with what their appearance was nearly thirty years ago 
when they entered the army, then they were strong, robust, healthy and 
vigorous, the bloom of youth was upon their cheeks, and their eyes 


9 1 


sparkled like diamonds, their steps were firm, quick, elastic, their heads 
were covered thickly with hair of black and brown and auburn hues; 
to-day, most of you plainly show that you are rapidly passing down the 
last slope of the mountaininto the valley ; out of which you never emerge *• 
again; those bald heads, those whitened locks, those sunken eyes, those 
furrowed brows, those stooping forms, and faltering footsteps, and halting 
limbs, indicate my comrades, that our race is almost run. It is scarcely 
possible that all of the comrades here with us to-night on this 25th anni- 
versay of our order, will ever meet together in one body on earth again. 

As comrades in the army, you faithfully discharged your several 
duties, your patriotism, valor, and courage, through the aid of Divine 
Providence, enabled you to subdue treason, overthrow the rebellion, and 
leave this one undivided country, as a heritage to your children and your 
children’s children through coming ages. God grant that this American 
Republic shall stand whilst time endures, and may it ever be said of it, 

“ It is the land of the free, and the home of the brave.” Comrades, I 
thank you for your kind attention, and I trust that if we never all meet in a 
Grand Army Post again on earth, that we will all finally meet and dwell 
forever together, in the home of the Supreme Commander, when time on 
earth shall be no longer. 

By order of Commander-in-Chief Judge Veasey, a general order was 
read by Adjutant S. Solomon, of Post 1, and a fac-simile of the first charter 
granted the encampment at Springfield, Ill., 25 years before, was shown. 

Speeches were delivered by Dept. Commander Green, Comrade W. R. 
Long and Dept. Chaplain McCoy. Music, singing and recitations com¬ 
pleted the program. 


Fraternal Yisit of Thomas A. Smyth Post to Pennsgrove, N. J. 

On September 12, 1891, the comrades of Thomas A. Smyth Post, No. 
1, of Wilmington, with a number of friends paid a fraternal visit to Acton 
Post, No. 33, Department of New Jersey, at their post room in Pennsgrove. 

An open camp fire was held. Commander McClelland, of Post 1, pre¬ 
sided. Speeches were made by Commander A. J. Woodman, A. A. Gen¬ 
eral Stradley, Department Chaplain McCoy, Sylvester Solomon, Comrade 
Hyatt and Past Com. “ De Groff” of Post No. 33. Ice cream and cake 
were served. They returned in the wee sma’ hours of the morning. 


A Fraternal Yisit. 

On the evening of November 10th, 1891, about one hundred comrades 
of Thomas A. Smyth Post, and of Posts 2, 4, 13 and 23, paid a fraternal 
visit to Wilde Post, No. 25, G. A. R., the Department of Pennsylvania, at 
their post room in Chester, Pa. 

Commander James Tonge, of Wilde Post, delivered the address of 
welcome. Dr. Samuel Starr presided over the open camp fire, An 
address was made by Dr. D. W. Jefferies. 

Speeches were made by Past Department Commander P. B. Ayars, 
Past Department Commander Samuel Lewis, Commander A. J. Woodman, 
Col. Wainwright, Benjamin F. Bogia, Chief of Staff. Department 
Chaplain James McCoy, Aid-de-Camp Chas. A. Foster, and editor of the 
Muster Roll, all of Delaware, and by Capt. Isaac Johnson, of Media, Pa. 

A portion of a speech of Abraham Lincoln printed on a large card was 
presented by the Wilde Post to the Thomas A. Smyth Post. Lunch was 
served by the Wilde Post. 




9 2 



Rear Admiral Samuel F. DuPont. 


Biographical Sketch of Rear-Admiral 
DuPont. 


50 YEARS IN THE U. S. NAVY. 

A LONG AND HONORABLE CAREER. 

COMMANDER OF THE PORT ROYAL EXPEDITION AND SOUTH 
ATLANTIC SQUADRON. 


By Comrade William Simmons, Post 400, Department 
of Penna., G. A. R. 

Samuel Francis DuPont was born at Bergen Point, New Jersey, Sep¬ 
tember 27, 1S03, and at the age of twelve years was appointed midshipman 
in the United States Navy, promoted to Lieutenant, April 26, 1826 ; to Com¬ 
mander, October 28,1842 ; to Captain, September 14, 1845; to Rear Admiral, 
July 16, 1862, and died in the service at Philadelphia, June 23, 1865. 

In 1845 commanded the U. S. Ship “ Congress,” then on the Pacific 
Station, and rendered important service. His next command was the U. S. 
Ship “ Cazone,” in which he participated in the Mexican war and assisted 
in the occupation of Mazalatan, in the month of November, 1847. 1 n Feb¬ 

ruary, 1848, he landed at San Jose with a small force of sailors and marines, 
and defeated a large body of Mexican troops, one of the events which led 
to the successful termination of that conflict. Shortly afterwards he assisted 
materially in organizing the United States Naval Academy now located at 
Annapolis, Maryland. He is the author of an interesting and valuable 
work on coast defenses and floating batteries. 

His most important service, however, was rendered while in command 
of the South Atlantic Squadron in the late war and the important victory 
achieved under his leadership at Port Royal, South Carolina, up to which 






93 


time the prospect of crushing a most gigantic and uncalled for Rebellion 
seemed very remote indeed. For it must be admitted that up to that time 
our forces, especially those on land service, had encountered a series of re¬ 
verses of a somewhat discouraging character. 

Admiral DuPont was a naval officer of superior intelligence, of a fine 
personal appearance and unquestioned loyalty, appreciated by his super¬ 
iors, and popular among his associates in the service, in addition to which 
he possessed all the requisites of a great commander. As flag-officer, in 
command of the Port Royal expedition, he won for himself and associates 
a national reputation, the thanks of Congress, and the gratitude of the 
nation. 

THE PORT ROYAL EXPEDITION. 

The vessels of war which constituted this important expedition, were 
concentrated at Hampton Roads, Virginia, in the month of October, 1861, 
and went South on the 29th of that month under command of flag officer 
Samuel F. DuPont. His flag ship was the splendid frigate “ Wabash,” of 
3,200 tons, carrying 40 guns and a crew of about 400 men. 

For the proper maintenance and a more strict enforcement of the 
blockade, it was deemed essentially requisite to secure, if possible, a harbor 
on the Atlantic Coast, as a coaling, supply and repair station. For this 
purpose the seizure of several places was contemplated. Port Royal, how¬ 
ever, in the opinion of the navy department, presented advantages not 
possessed by any other locality on account of its magnificent harbor. It 
was also desirable to again plant the Union colors on the soil of rebellious 
South Carolina, and establish a base of operations for aggressive hostilities 
against the enemy. 

The following are the vessels and the number of guns carried by each, 
and name of their respective commanders which constituted the expedition, 
and whose brilliant achievement won the grateful plaudits of the Loyal 
North: 

VESSELS OF THE PORT ROYAL EXPEDITION, NUMBER OF GUNS AND NAME 

OF COMMANDERS. 

Vessels. Guns. Commander. 


Wabash, . . 

.40 ... . 

. C. R. P. Rodgers. 

Susquehanna, 

. 23 ... . 

. J. L. Lardner. 

Bienville, . . 

. 10 ... . 

. Chas. Steadman. 

Mohican, . . 

....... 8 ... . 

. S. W. Godon. 

Vandalia, . . 

; ..8. . . . 

. F. S. Haggerty. 

Augusta, . . 

....... 8 . . . . 

. E. G. Perrott. 

Penguin, . . 

.6 . . . . 

. T. A. Budd. 

Pocahontas, . 

. 5 * • • • 

, Percival Drayton. 

Curlew, . . . 

.5 . . . . 

. P. G. Watmough. 

Seminole, . . 

.4 . . . . 

. J. P. Gillis. 

Pawnee, . . . 

....... 4 ••• • 

. R. H. Wyman. 

Unadilla, . . 

. . . 4 . . . . 

. Napoleon Collins. 

Ottawa, . . . 

. 4 • • • • 

. T. H. Stevens. 

Pauline, . . . 

. 4 • • • • 

. J. T. Bankhead. 

Seneca, . . . 

. 4 ' • • • 

. Daniel Ammen. 

Isaac Smith, . 

.9 . . . . 

. F. S. Conover. 


The expedition, as already stated, sailed from Hampton Roads on Oct* 
29th, and about Nov. 1st, reaching the vicinity of Cape Hatteras, encoun¬ 
tered a storm of great severity in which some of the vessels were severely 
handled. One of them, the transport steamer, “ Governor,” was wrecked. 
This vessel carried a battalion of about seven hundred marines, commanded 
by Col. J. G. Reynolds, and were detached from the marine barracks at 


» 















94 

Washington to accompany the expedition and occupy the forts whose cap¬ 
ture was.contemplated. 

Fortunately for the marines, the United States frigate, “Sab’ne,” bore 
in sight in time to save a great many of them from a watery grave. Their 
rescue at sea and during the prevalence of a fearful gale was indeed a peril¬ 
ous undertaking, for which Captain Ringgold of the “ Sabine,” his officers 
and crew, received from Congress a resolution of thanks, on recommenda¬ 
tion of the President of the United States. 

The expedition reached its destination on Nov. 5th, and made prepara¬ 
tions for action. Port Royal is situated on the coast of South Carolina, and 
about midway between Charleston and Savannah. Its defenses consisted 
of two well armed and rapidly constructed forts commanding the entrance 
to the harbor and situated about three miles apart. Fort Walker, situated 
on Hilton Head, mounted 23 guns; Fort Beauregard, on Bay Point, 18 
guns: and a garrison of about three thousand men under command of Gen. 
Thomas F. Drayton. 

This constituted the land forces of the enemy, in addition to which Com¬ 
modore Josiah Tatnall, of the rebel navy, was ordered from Savannah to 
assist General Drayton. His force consisted of the following armed steam¬ 
ers, viz: 

“ Lady Davis,” commander, J. Rutledge ; “ Sampson,” commander, J. 
Kennard ; “ Resolute,” commander, J. P. Jones ; “ Savannah,” commander, 
J. N. Moffit. 

This flotilla in the early stage of the action took quite a prominent 
part, but as the engagement progressed and the result became apparent, 
they ingloriously retreated, seeking safety in Skull creek, a small stream in 
the rear of Hilton Head, leaving General Drayton and his troops to the 
mercy of our shells. Some of these vessels were captured shortly after¬ 
wards by DuPont’s fleet. 

The importance of Port Royal was full recognized by the enemy and 
they made preparations to resist the contemplated attack. Several circum¬ 
stances prevented DuPont from commencing the attack immediately on his 
arrival, but on the morning of the 7th, signal was made to get under way 
and form line of battle. About 9 a. m. firing commenced, each vessel 
pushing up about midway between the forts, firing from port and starboard 
battery, while the movements of the fleet were reduced to a speed just 
sufficient to maintain the line of battle as previously agreed upon. 

On nearing the forts and at a distance of about 800 yards our shells 
burst with great regularity inside the works. The enemy for a time fired 
quite briskly, but as we moved in closer they evidently became discouraged 
and their fire was slackened, but they stood by their guns as well as could 
be expected under the circumstances. It soon became evident as the 
engagement progressed that every gun in the forts would be dismounted 
and every man killed who remained at his post. About noon firing from 
the enemy entirely ceased and they began to retreat in such a hasty 
manrer that they did not take time to say “good-bye.” So rapidly did 
they go that they seemed to have important business elsewhere, and were 
in a hurry to get beyond range of our shells. We were then distant about 
six hundred yards and signal was made to “ cease firing.” Commander 
Rodgers was sent on shore at Fort Walker, and raised the Union flag. The 
same interesting ceremony took place at Fort Beauregard, and Port Royal 
was ours. Eight men were killed and twenty-three wounded on board the 
vessels of our fleet. 

The capture of Port Royal was an event of unusual importance, ably 
planned and skillfully executed. It was exclusively a naval victory from 
its conception until its final consummation. It was a ray of sunshine 
bursting through the dark clouds that enveloped the Union horizon. It 




9 


planted again the starry banner on the soil of South Carolina. In increased 
the value of our securities, stimulated enlistments and was a notice to 
domestic traitors and their foreign allies, that the United States navy had 
lost none of its former prestige. 

Th.e escape of the garrison was an unfortunate event which could not 
be guarded against, as our vessels were not intended for service on shore 
duty. 

Some of the enemies’ dead were found in Fort Walker, but their actual 
loss could not be definitely learned. 

REPORT OF FLAG OFFICER DUPONT. 

FLAGSHIP WABASH, 

Port Royal Harbor, November 8, 1861. 

Sir :—I have the honor to inform you that yesterday I attacked the 
enemies’ batteries on Bay Point and Hilton Head (Forts Beauregard and 
Walker) and succeeded in silencing them after an engagement of four 
hour’s duration, and driving away the squadron of rebel steamers under 
Captain Tatnall. The reconnoissance of yesterday made us acquainted 
with the superiority of Fort Walker, and to that I directed my especial 
efforts, engaging it at a distance of first eight and then six hundred yards, 
but the plan of attack brought the squadron sufficiently near Fort Beaure¬ 
gard to receive its fire and the ships were frequently fighting the batteries 
on both sides at the same time. 

The action was begun on my part at twenty-six minutes after nine, and 
at half past two, the American ensign was hoisted on the flag staff of Fort 
Walker, and this morning at sunrise on that of Fort Beauregard. 

The defeat of the enemy terminated in utter rout and confusion, their 
quarters and encampments were abandoned without an attempt to carry 
away either public or private property. The ground over which they fled 
was strewn with arms of private soldiers, and officers retired in too much 
haste to submit to the encumbrance of their swords. 

Landing my marines and a company of seamen, I took possession of 
the deserted grounds and held the fort on Hilton Head till the arrival of 
General Sherman, to whom I had the honor to transfer its occupation. We 
have captured forty-three pieces of cannon, most of them of the heaviest 
calibre and of the most improved description. 

The bearer of these dispatches will have the honor to carry with him 
the captured flags and two small brass field pieces lately belonging to the 
State of South Carolina, which are sent home as suitable trophies of the 
day. I enclose herewith a copy of general order to be read in the fleet 
to-morrow morning at muster. A detailed account of this battle will be 
submitted hereafter. 

I have the honor to be very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

S. F. DUPONT, 

Flag Officer Commanding. 

Hon. Gideon Welles, 

Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. 

When our forces were firmly established at Fort Royal, DuPont’s ener¬ 
gies were displayed to advantage in capturing other places along the coast, 
St. Helena Sound and Tybee Island being the first to demand his attention, 
after which an expedition was filled out for the capture of St. John’s, St. 
Augustine and Fernandina, Florida. The expedition to the latter place in 
March, 1862, consisted of the following vessels: 

Ottawa, Captain Stevens; Seneca, Captain Ammen ; Huron, Captain 
Downes; Pembina, Captain Bankhead ; Isaac Smith, Captain Nicholson ; 


9 6 


Penguin, Captain Budd ; Potomska, Captain Watmough ; Henrietta, Cap¬ 
tain Bennett; the Transport Steamer McClelland and Boston having on 
board a battalion of marines under Colonel Reynolds and the 97th Regi¬ 
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Guss. A detachment of sailors 
and marines from DuPont’s fleet assisted in the capture of Fort .Pulaski 
early in 1862, and the Department Commander, General Hunter, spoke 
very creditably ol their services, in his official report of that important 
victory. 

On the night of January 31, 1863, an attempt was made by the Confed¬ 
erate iron clads to sink or destroy the blockading squadron off Charleston. 
DuPont being then at Port Royal hastened to the scene, and additional 
vessels having been placed at his disposal, the blockade instead of being 
destroyed was afterwards more strictly enforced. In this attack on our ves¬ 
sels twenty men were killed on the gun boat “ Keystone State,” and four 
men on the gunboat “ Metcedita.” 

Flag officer DuPont, in his official report of this affair, concludes as 
follows : ‘ The new ironsides, Powhattan and Canandaigua, form part of the 
force stationed off Charleston, and that port is now more stringently block¬ 
aded than previous to the raid of the iron clads." 

The memorable attack on Fort Sumpter, which took place April 7, 
1863, was under the personal leadership of DuPont, and in which the fol¬ 
lowing vessels participated, viz: Weehauken, Passaic, Montank, Patapsco, 
New Ironsides, Catskill, Nantucket, Nahant, Keokuk, Canandaigua, Housa- 
tonic, Huron, Unadilla and Wissahickon. 

A very brilliant and creditable affair was the capture of the confeder¬ 
ate ram “Atlanta,” by vessels of DuPont’s fleet in Warsaw Sound, June 17, 
1863. This vessel was a formidable affair, carrying four guns and a crew 
of 165 persons. Its appraised value was $350,829.26 It was bought in by 
the Government and fitted up at Philadelphia Navy yard, and afterwards 
rendered effective service in the North Atlantic Squadron under Captain T. 
J. Woodward, a distinguished Naval officer, now residing at New Orleans. 

Flag Officer DuPont received from the Honorable Secretary of the 
Navy a congratulatory letter on the capture of the “Atlanta,” of which the 
following is a copy : 


NAVY DEPARTMENT, 

Washington, D. C., June 26, 1863. 

Sir :—The Department has received your several dispatches announc¬ 
ing the capture of the rebel ironclad steamer, “ Fingal,” alias “Atlanta,” 
and enclosing detailed reports of Captain. John Rodgers and Commander 
John Downes, of the affair. 

I take occasion to express the Department’s appreciation of your 
prompt measures to prepare for the expected appearance of the rebel iron¬ 
clads, by sending off Savannah two of our own ably commanded, and 
congratulate you on the acquisition of so powerful a vessel which promises 
to be of important service in the future. 

To your ceaseless vigilance and that of the officers under your com¬ 
mand were we indebted some months since for the destruction of the 
notorious steamer “Nashville,” which the enemy had armed and fruitlessly 
endeavored to send out to destroy our commerce, and now to your efficient 
measures and means provided, do we owe the capture of one of the most 
powerful ironclads afloat. A vessel prepared after months of toil and 
great expenditure of money, and sent forth with confidence to disperse our 
blockading fleet and overcome our monitors. 

You may well regard this, and we may with pleasure look upon it as a 


97 


brilliant termination of a command gallantly commenced and conducted 
for two years with industry, energy and ability. 

Very respectfully, 

GIDEON WELLES, 

Secretary of the Navy. 

To Flag Officer, S. F. DuPont, commanding 

South Atlantic blockading Squadron. 

The Squadron then commanded by Admiral DuPont, embraced all the 
vessels in commission on the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia and eastern 
part of Florida, covering a distance of over three hundred miles, and was 
established Oct. i, 1861. 

The numerical strength of the Squadron each year of the war as indi¬ 
cated by official records was as follows: 

From October i, to December 31, 1861, 31 vessels, 5,693 men. 

From January ’62, to December 31, 1862, 52 vessels, 5,722 men. 

From January ’63, to December 31, 1863, 61 vessels, 7,006 men. 

From January ’64, to December 31, 1864, 68 vessels, 6,735 men. 

From January ’65, to June 30, 1865, 81 vessels, 6,498 men. 

COPY OF GENERAL ORDER REFERRED TO. 

FLAGSHIP WABASH, 

Port Royal Bay, Nov. 8, 1861. 

It is the grateful duty of the Commander-in-Chief to make a public 
acknowledgment of his entire commendation of the coolness, discipline, 
skill and gallantry displayed by the officers and men under his command, 
in the capture of the batteries on Hilton Head and Bay Point, after an 
action of four hour’s duration. 

The Flag Officer fully sympathizes with the officers and men of the 
Squadron in the satisfaction they must feel at seeing the ensign of the Union 
flying once more in the State of South Carolina, which has been the chief 
promoter of the wicked and unprovoked rebellion they have been called 
upon to suppress. 

S. F. DUPONT. 

Flag Officer Commanding. 

In grateful recognition of DuPont’s services, Congress, on recommenda¬ 
tion of the President, passed the following resolution of thanks: 

A resolution tendering the thanks of Congress to Captain Samuel F. 
DuPont and officers, petty officers, seamen and marines under his command, 
for the victory at Port Royal. 

That the thanks of Congress be and are hereby tendered to Captain 
Samuel F. DuPont, and through him to the officers, petty officers, seamen 
and marines attached to the squadron under his command for the decisive 
and splendid victory achieved at Port Royal on the seventh day of Novem¬ 
ber last. 

Approved Feb. 22 , 1862. 

The State of South Carolina was the first to secede from the Union, 
having passed the ordnance of secession December 20, i860, and seduced 
other States to join with her in an assault on the national government, un¬ 
justifiable and uncalled for. Now, the flag of the union again floats over 
its territory, planted there by the courage of the Union Navy, to wave on 
and on from generation to generation, until time shall be no more, not a 
stripe dimmed, not a single star obliterated from its field of azure blue. 
The arduous duties and responsibilities of the position told severely on the 
health of Admiral DuPont, and by his own request he was relieved from 


9 « 

command July 6, 1863. His successor was Rear Admiral John A. Dahl- 
gren. 

In a quiet rural cemetery just on the outskirts of Wilmington, Delaware, 
the grave of Admiral DuPont is visited each Memorial Day and strewn 
with flowers by a G. A. R. Post, whose honored name they bear, also by 
DuPont Post of Philadelphia, Pa. Long may this beautiful custom prevail 
in grateful recognition of illustrious heroes, whose names should be written 
in letters of gold on the pages of our country’s history, and handed down to 
posterity as worthy of everlasting remembrance. 


History of Admiral S- F. DuPont Post, No. 2, Department of 
Delaware, Wilmington, Del. 

A meeting of the charter members to organize DuPont Post, No. 2, G. 
A R„ was held in the Brotherhood of the Union Hall, 605 Market Street, 
on February 14th, 1880, with Post Commander Dr. Joseph Ferguson of 
Winfield Scott Post, No. 114, of Philadelphia, Pa., in the chair. 

The roll of the charter members was called and the following comrades 
were present: 

Dr. J. P. Wales, Col. S. A. Macallister, J. R. Holt, G. H. Conner, S. S. 
Johnson, G. W. Jackson, Jas. L. Hawkins, D. F. Stewart, J. E. Frock, J. S. 
Wheeler, H. W. Hancock, A. P. Osmond, J. W. Luke, W. B. Adams, Thos 
R. Curlett, Chas. Zerby, Wm. P. Voshell, C. E. Evans, Wm. McCrea, 
Henry McCrea, Jas. Garvine, P. B. Ayars, Jos.' Rigby, H. Massey, J. A. 
Parsons, Jacob Smith, Jas. Brown, S. R. Smith, J. H. Coulson, Sami. File, 
John Myers, Jas. T. Haddock, B. F. Smeltz, L. D. Campbell, J. R. Galla- 
her, Dr. L. Smith, A. H. Mason, Jos. Duffy, J. B. Dunbar, Wm. O’Conner, 
M. Macklem, J. H. Glatts, E. H. Gregg, Isaac Weaver, W. J. Blackburn, 
Wm. Hall, L. C. Grubb. 

These comrades were duly mustered in and the post was regularly in¬ 
stituted and the following officers were then regularly installed into their 
respective offices by Commander Ferguson, assisted by the other officers of 
Winfield Scott Post, No. 114, of Philadelphia: 

Post Commander, Dr. J. P. Wales; Senior Vice-Commander, S. R. 
Smith; Junior Vice-Commander, C. E. Evans; Adjutant, S. S. Johnson; 
Quartermaster, E. H. Gregg ; Surgeon, Dr. L. Smith ; Chaplain, J. W. Luke ; 
Officer of Day, Wm. McCrea ; Officer of Guard, Wm. O’Conner; Sergeant 
Major, Jas. L. Hawkins; Quartermaster Sergeant, J. R. Gallaher; Inside 
Sentinel, W. J. Blackburn ; Outside Sentinel, G. H. Conner. 

The first regular meeting of the post was held in the rooms of W. S. 
McNair, Institute Building, on February 17, 1880. 

On March 2d, 1880, the post moved into the Maris Building at Sixth 
and Shipley streets, where they met regularly until Nov. 9, 1880, when they 
moved into room No. 18 in third story of McClary building, which they 
had rented and fitted up and furnished for themselves. Here they met reg¬ 
ularly until the room became too small. They then leased the third and 
fourth floor of the Harkness Building, refitted and furnished the same, and 
held their first meeting there on March 25, 1886, and they still continue to 
meet there. 

They have mustered in 519 comrades, lost 62 by death, and now num¬ 
ber 218 comrades. They own over $3,000 worth of property of various 
kinds, and have about $460 in their treasury. Expended for charity, $5,700. 

Past Commanders—Dr. J. P. Wales, 1880; E. K. Gregg, 1881 ; S. S. 
Johnson, 1882; J. S. Litzenberg, 1883 ; J. T. Haddock, 1884; W. J. Black¬ 
burn, 1885; p - B - Ayars, 1886; W. P. Voshell, 1887 ; B. D. Bogia, 1888; 



99 


J. Duffy, 1889; N. Bayne, 1890; J. S. Booth, 1891 ; M. B. Gist, 1892, and 
is still ably presided over by H. S. Stradley, as the fourteenth commander. 

Past Department Commanders—John Wainwright, 1882; J. L. Litzen- 
berg, 1885; P. B. Ayars, 1889. 


The Memorial Service of Post No. 2, 0. A. R. 

A memoir from the DuPont family was presented on Tuesday evening, 
Nov. nth, 1890, at the Board of Trade rooms, Market street, Wilmington. 
Past. Dept Commander J. L. Litzenberg presided. The choir of Epworth 
League, under the management of Prof. H. McDaniel, of U. M. E. church, 
took charge of the singing. Hon. Edward W. Bradford presented to the 
DuPont Post, G. A. R., on behalf of the DuPont family, two neatly bound 
volumes of records and memorial memorandum, and were received from 
them on behalf of the Post by Past Dept. Commander P. B. Ayars, in a 
htting speech. 

Bishop Coleman, of the P. E. church, spoke in glowing terms of Ad¬ 
miral DuPont, for whom the Post was named. His honor, Mayor Harring¬ 
ton, humorously spoke of his membership by adoption of Post 2, being too 
young to participate in the war. 


Gen. A. T. A. Torbert Post, No. 3, Department of Delaware, 
G- A. R., Dover, Del. 

Commander, Comrade James G. Boggs. 

Adjutant, Comrade Edwin F. Wood. 

Quartermaster, Comrade A. B. Conard. 

Meets every Monday evening. 

Past Commanders—George V. Massey, Esq., H. J. Enwright, J. H. 
Klinger, John S. Rowan, A. B. Moore, E. F. Wood, A. B. Conard, Jas. H. 
Peterson, Casper Miller. 

The Post meets on Memorial Day and pays tribute to the deceased 
comrades, and observes all the national holidays. The members have ren¬ 
dered financial service to their needy comrades, and have spent several 
hundred dollars for their relief since organization. Among its members 
that have been honored in the Department are the Hon. George V.Massey, 
John E. Mowbray and James Boggs. 

A letter from Adjutant Wood stated that it was impossible to furnish a 
full history of the Post at this time. They have expended for charitable 
purposes #500, and their property is valued at #50.00. 


History of Charles Sumner Post, No. 4, G- A. R., Department 

of Delaware. 

Charles Sumner Post, No. 4, G. A. R., Department of Delaware, was 
mustered in October 11, 1880, by the Provisional Department Commander, 
R. C. Fraim. with the assistance of Assistant Adjutant General, W. S. Mc¬ 
Nair and Quartermaster General, Wm. J. Swiggett, who examined the quali¬ 
fications of the charter members. The following were found to be eligible 
for membership : 

Philip H. Burton, Lawrence F. Fisher, Simeon Hood, Wm. H. John¬ 
son, Wm. Miles, James Miles, Wm. E. Rain, George M. Johnson, George 
Cathel, Nero Backus, James Trippet, George Crosbery, Raymond Trusty, 
Edward Hogan, Kennard Alston, John Wiggins, Thomas Chambers, George 





IOO 



Hon. Charles Sumner. 
[For whom the Post is named.] 


Collins, John Simons, Samuel B. Dill, Elijah Williams, Peter S. Kenton, 
Nathan Pratt. 

All of them responded to their names and were duly obligated and ad¬ 
mitted as comrades in good standing in the Grand Army of the Republic. 
The applications of R H. Smith, James White and Asbury Sterling were 
referred to the Post with instruction to examine their qualifications before 
mustering them in. 

Prov. Dept. Commander Fraim then detailed the following to hold a 
regular muster: Commander, James McDowell, of Post i; Senior Vice- 
Commander, John C. Frock, Post 2 ; Junior Vice-Commander, Joshua Wain- 
wright, Post 1; Assistant Adjutant General, W. S. McNair; Quartermaster, 
General, Wm. Y. Swiggett; Officer of Day, Daniel Ross, Post 1 ; Officer of 
Guard, Charles R Stout, Post 1 ; Chaplain, John Luke, Post 2 ; Surgeon, 
Oliver Bliss, Post 1 ; Sentinel, Ezra Sullivan, Post 1. 

The Post was then opened in due form. 

The commander called for new business, and upon motion the Post went 
into a nomination of officers, which resulted as follows : 

Post Commander, Lawrence F. Fisher; Senior Vice-Commander, Sim¬ 
eon Hood ; Junior Vice-Commander, * Nero Backus; Quartermaster 
Edward Hogan ; Surgeon, John Wiggins ; Chaplain, Thomas Chambers ; 
Officer of the Day, Philip H. Burton ; Officer of the Guard, Wm. C. Rain. 
They were elected in due form. 

The Provisional Commander then detailed Asst. Adjutant General, Wm. 
S. McNair mustering officer, and he installed the officers elected. Comrade 
Raymond Trusty was appointed and installed as Adjutant, Comrade Sam¬ 
uel B. Dill was appointed Sentry at the outpost, and Comrade Kennard 
Alston as Inside Sentinel. 

Addresses were delivered by Prov. Dept. Commander Fraim, Com¬ 
mander McDowell, of Post 1 ; Asst. Adjutant General, W. S. McNair, Sur¬ 
geon Wiggins, Post 4; Commander Ross, Post 1, and by others. 

Upon motion of Junior Vice-Commander Backus, a vote of thanks was 
extended to the Department Officers and Posts 1 and 2, who were in attend¬ 
ance to muster in the Post. The Post was closed in due form. 

Since its organization this Post has progressed favorably. 

Past Commanders—L. F. Fisher, 1881 ; Simeon Hood, 1882 ; I. H. 
Fisher, 1883; Nero Backus, 1884; P. H. Burton, 1885; P. H. Boyd, 1886 ; 



IOI 


Raymond Trusty, 1887; W. Hayes, 1888; Isaac Wilson, 1889; L. I. Dale, 
1890; D. R. Duncan, 1891 ; A. Gray, 1892. 

The present officers of the Post are : 

Commander, Allen A. Anderson; Senior Vice-Commander, Noah C. 
Gray; Junior Vice-Commander, David Murray; Adjutant, L. I. Fisher; 
Quartermaster, I. H. Fisher; Chaplain, Wm. Thomas; Officer of the Day, 
Isaac Wilson ; Officer of the Guard, Andrew Ralston; Surgeon, George 
Reddin; Quartermaster Sergeant, Simeon Hood ; Sergeant Major, Alexan¬ 
der Hollis; Trustees, John R. Walker, George Dumpson, John E. Johnson. 

Number of members in good standing, 80; present value of Post 
property, $250; amount for relief and other sources since organization, 
#2,500. 


History of Captain Evan S Watson Post No. 5, G- A. R., New 

Castle, Del. 

The Captain Evan S. Watson Post, No. 5, G. A. R., was organized De¬ 
cember 20, 1881, with twenty-five charter members, under the administra¬ 
tion of Department Commander W. S'. McNair. 

Past Post Commanders—James A. Price, Wm. Walls, Robt. S. Martin, 
Geo. M. Riley, Theo. Atkinson, Wm. T. Lovell, Geo. W. Bull, Jos. E. Van- 
tine, Ira Lunt, James P. Lane, John J. Gormley, (deceased). 

Number mustered in, 73 ; present membership, 26. 

Present Officers—Commander, Comrade A. M. Hizar ; Senior Vice- 
Commander, Comrade G. W. Bull; Junior Vice-Commander, Comrade 
Wm. Wilson; Officer of the Day, Comrade R. S. Martin; Officer of the 
Guard, Comrade John Kelly ; Chaplain, Comrade Wm. T. Lovell; Surgedn, 
Comrade H. Hamilton ; Quartermaster, Comrade Edward Dalby ; Adjutant, 
Comrade Jos. E. Vantine; Trustees, R. S. Martin, J. Kelly. 

The Post observes Memorial Day in taking care of the honor of the 
dead, and also observe all the national holidays. It has expended several 
hundred of dollars towards the relief of needy comrades. Value of property, 
#100. 


Major W. F. Smith Post, No. 6, Department of Delaware, G- 
A. R., Dover, Del. 

Commander, Comrade Wm. Jones; Adjutant, Comrade Chas. G. Pat¬ 
ton ; Quartermaster, Comrade Noah Sharp. Meets every Thursday even¬ 
ing. 

Past Commanders—Peter Griffin, Wm. Jones, John D. Hayes, Adam 
Wilson, Allen Reed, James Rias, Noah Sharp, Chas. Patton. 

This post observes Memorial Day and celebrates the national holidays. 
The members have expended for the relief of needy comrades and their 
families $250.00. 


History of Den. James A. Garfield Post, No. 7, Department of 
Delaware, G- A. R-, Milford, Del. 

The Gen. James A. Garfield Post, No. 7, was organized on Feb. 4, 1881, 
during the administration of Department Commander W. S. McNair. 

The charter members are: 

Jas. R. Lolland, J. Leroy Campbell, Joseph Ritchter, Wm. P. Corsa, 
Wm. H. Harris, W. E. Hopkins, S. R. Ennis, Jas. Harding, Wm. T. Pretty- 





102 


man, Jos. H. S. Ward, John S. Bailey, A. B. Moore, John O. Pierce, M. D.. 
G. W. Joseph, L. F. Cubbage, John H. Johnson, H. W. McColley, Jno 
Dickerson, John Wilkins, Geo. W. Wilkins, F. O. Wiswell, S. J. Williams, 
B. T. Collins. 

First Officers—Post Commander, Comrade Jas. R. Lofland; Senior Vice- 
Commander, Comrade A. B. Moore; Junior Vice-Commander, Comrade J. 
Leroy Campbell; Surgeon, Comrade John O. Pierce, M. D.; Officer of the 
Day, Comrade Joseph Richter; Officer of the Guard, Comrade L. F. Cub¬ 
bage; Quartermaster, Comrade G. W. Joseph; Adjutant, Comrade Wm. P. 
Corsa; Sergeant Major. Comrade William H. Harris: Quartermaster Ser¬ 
geant, Comrade John H. Johnson; Chaplain, Comrade W. E. Hopkins. 

Past Commanders—J. R. Lofland, 1881 ; J. R. Lofland, 1882 ; J. Leroy 
Campbell, 1883: John Wilkins, 1884; F. S. Wiswell, 1885, W. E. Hop¬ 
kins, 1886; G. W. Joseph, 1887; B. F. Collins, 1888; Wm. H. Patterson, 
1889; Geo. W. Pitcher, 1890; Wm, A. Truitt, 1891 ; J. S. Bradley, 1892. 

Present Officers—Post Commander, Comrade James H. Truitt; Senior 
Vice-Commander, Comrade C. G. Macklin ; Junior Vice-Commander, Com¬ 
rade S. J. Williams; Adjutant, Comrade Wm. A. Truitt; Sergeant-Major, 
Comrade J. S. Bradley ; Quartermaster. Comrade Wm E. Hopkins ; Quar¬ 
termaster-Sergeant, Comrade M. Van Leuvan ; Chaplain, Comrade H. L. 
Bustein ; Officer of the Day, Comrade G. W. Joseph ; Officer of the Guard, 
Comrade J. H. Marvel; Surgeon, Comrade B. B. Deputy. 

The Post is in good condition, observes Memorial Day and the national 
holidays. It has expended $500 for the relief of needy comrades and their 
families since its organization. Value of property, $75. 


History of D. L. Striker Post, No. 8, Department of Delaware, 
(*. A. R., Newport, Del. 

Biography of Lieutenant-Colonel I). L. Striker. 

Lieutenant-Colonel David L. Striker was a native of Dover, Del. At 
the breaking out of the war he organized Company A, Second Delaware, 
which was the first company of three years’ men formed in Delaware. 
They were mustered in on June 12, 1861. He was promoted to Lieutenant 
Colonel the latter part of 1862. He was killed at the battle of Spottsylvania, 
May 12, 1864, while leading the 145th Pennsylvania into the fight. His re¬ 
mains were brought home to Dover for burial. He v?as a brave, valiant 
soldier, well beloved by all his men. 

History of tlie Post. 

The David L. Striker Post, No. 8, was organized at Newport, Del., on 
March 10, 1883, by Department Commander Daniel Ross. 

The charter members are :—Simeon S. Myers, Dutton Peters, Luther 
Kiscaden, R. Harry Williams, M. A. Booth, Wm. M. Porter, Walter Hims- 
worth, John T. Young, Alex. F. Crozier. Daniel Green, Geo. W. Davis, 
Wm. Pierce, James Melvin, Wm. Elliott, Benj. T. Bellew, Wm. Hamilton, 
Wm. Wilmot, Andrew J. Williams, Lewis R. Cooper, Ira Kennedy, Benj. 
Willis, Edward Hamilton. 

First Officers :—Post Commander, Comrade Simeon S. Myers ; Senior 
Vice-Cominander, Comrade Dutton Peters ; Junior Vice-Commander, Com¬ 
rade Lewis K. Cooper; Quartermaster, Comrade James Melvin; Chaplain, 
Comrade John T. Young ; Surgeon, Comrade Matthew A. Booth; Officer of 
the Day, Comrade Richard H. Williams; Officer of the Guard, Comrade 
Luther Kiscaden ; Adjutant, Comrade Daniel Green ; Sergeant-Major, Com 
rade Walter Himsworth ; Quartermaster-Sergeant, Comrade Ira Kennedy 



103 


Past Commanders—S. S. Myers, 1883; Dutton Peters, 1884; G. W. 
Davis, 1885 ; R. H. Williams, 1886; John McCullen, 1887 ; Daniel Green, 
1888; Wm. N. Johns, 1889; Albert D. Sheldon, 1890; G. H. Rue, 1891 ; 
Alex. T. Crozier, 1892. 

Number mustered since organization, 56; number transferred, 3; num¬ 
ber having died, 3 ; dropped from the roll, 20. 

The members reside in three different states and the District of Colum¬ 
bia. Comrade Daniel Green, who was elected Department Commander for 
1891. was compelled to resign on account of ill-health. 

Post Commander, Comrade W. T. Gallaher; Adjutant, Comrade Geo. 
W. Davis ; Quartermaster, Comrade Daniel Green. 

They have expended for relief since organization, $550, and value of 
property, $100. 


Biography of Captain Thos. M. Reynolds. 

Capt. Thos. M. Reynolds was a resident of Camden, Delaware, prior to 
his enlistment, and at that time a law student under Hon. Nathaniel B. 
Smithers, of Dover. 

Scarcely 20 years of age, a young man of great promise, he went forth 
to battle for his country with Co. H, 4th Regiment, Delaware Volunteers. 
While engaged in the famous charge on the 18th of June, 1864, in front of 
Petersburg, Va., he fell, mortally wounded, and died on board the hospital 
boat en route to Washington, on the 19th of June. His remains were buried 
at Camden, Del. 


History of Captain T. M. Reynolds Post, No- 9, Department of 
Delaware, 0. A. R , Pleasant Hill, Del. 

ORGANIZATION. 

Captain T. M. Reynolds Post, No. 9, G. A. R., Department of Dela¬ 
ware, was organized on the evening of the 26th of February 1881, by De¬ 
partment Commander W. S. McNair and staff. The charter members are 
as follows: 

Samuel Worrell, Henry M. Whiteman, Richard G. Buckingham, Lewis 
Negendank„ James Stafford, Wm. H. Pennock, Levi McCormick, John W. 
Worrell, Joseph Petitdemange, James Harkness, Jacob B. Moore, Lewis E. 
Collins, Joseph H. Chambers, Alban Buckingham. 

First officers—Post Commander, Comrade R. G. Buckingham; Senior 
Vice-Commander, Comrade Wm. H. Pennock; Junior Vice-Commander, 
Comrade John W. Worrell; Chaplain, Comrade James Harkness; Officer 
of the Day, Comrade Henry M. Whiteman ; Officer of the Guard, Comrade 
Jacob B. Moore; Quartermaster, Comrade Jos. Petitdemange; Surgeon, 
Comrade Levi McCormick; Adjutant, Comrade W. W. Vansant. 

The Post is located in a rural district near Pleasant Hill, New Castle 
Co., Delaware, with no small towns to draw its members from. The com¬ 
rades that meet regularly bespeak well for the kind of material of which it 
is composed. 

The post decided to meet alternately. 

Past Post Commanders—Henry M. Whiteman, James Harkness, Levi 
McCormick, John W. Worrell, Joseph Petitdemange, William W. Vansant, 
Alban Buckingham, Jacob B. Moore, Samuel Worrell, Wm. H. Pennock. 

The present officers are:—Commander, Henry Jacobs; Senior Vice- 
Commander, Jacob B. Moore ; Junior Vice-Commander, John A. Herbener; 
Chaplain, B. F. Mitchner; Officer of the Day, Joseph Petitdemange ; Sur- 




104 


geon, Levi McCormick ; Quartermaster, John W. Worrell; Officer of the 
Guard, Joseph Underwood ; Adjutant, Lewis E. Collins. 

The Post is located in a rural district at Newark and Fairview, but after 
some three years’trial abandoned Newark and moved their headquarters or 
place of meeting to a hall erected by Comrade John W. Worrell, where they 
meet regularly once a month with an average of sixteen comrades present, 
out of a membership of thirty. 

Since organization they have lost one by death, that of Comrade Jno. 
F. Williamson, of Newark. He had been elected Post Chaplain on several 
occasions, also Department Chaplain, which positions he filled with great 
credit to himself and comrades, Under his directions, before the post was 
organized, he was pleased to gather a few of his friends together on Memo¬ 
rial Day, and with flags and flowers would decorate the graves of deceased 
comrades, who were buried at Newark. 

The comrades of this post, on Memorial Dav, by previous appoint¬ 
ments of committees, decorate the graves of fallen comrades in various 
cemeteries, in the morning of the 30th of May, while in the afternoon they 
gather as a post at Newark, Del. At this place there are two cemeteries, 
one at each end of the town. The Delaware College Cadets have, for the 
,last few years, acted as an escort to the post on parade through the town, 
also in firing salutes over the graves of departed heroes. It is most grati¬ 
fying to remark that the displaying of the “ dear old flag” has become more 
frequent in the last few years, which speaks more than words to the com¬ 
rades. 

Then at the cemeteries gather the fellow townsmen ; the old, who 
remember well the strife ; the young come eagerly to lend a helping hand 
in the great and good work, in which they shall soon be the leading ones, 
and who will tell the heroic deeds of this great army, who so bravely laid 
down their lives that this country might live and prosper. 

This Post does not carry a relief fund, but whenever a soldier is in need 
of assistance, whether a comrade of the Post or not, the boys respond 
promptly to his aid, and by this method over $500 has been spent as a relief 
fund, which fully exemplifies the principles of “ Fraternity and Charity.” 
Value of property, #100. 


General Daniel Woodal Post, No. 11, Department of Delaware, 
G. A. R., Wyoming, Del. 

Post Commander, Comrade A. C. Mensch ; Quartermaster, Comrade 
James Montague. Meets every Wednesday evening. 

Past Commanders—Thos. Boyles, James Montague, Darling Johnson, 
JohnT. Benson, James P. Roe. 

This Post meets on Memorial Day and pays tribute to the deceased 
comrades, and observes all national holidays ; and [are ever ready to as¬ 
sist needy comrades and their families. Three hundred dollars have been 
expended since organization. 


History of Grant Post, No. 13, Department of Delaware, G. A. 
R., of Wilmington, Del. 

On July 16th, 1885, in the Adams Building, Wilmington, Del., a meet¬ 
ing of soldiers and sailors was held, and Gen. U. S. Grant Post, No. 23. was 
organized with the following charter members: 





lor 



Gen. U. S. Grant. 


Col. A. H. Grimshaw, G. B. Underwood, Anton Hentze, Wm. G. Robe- 
len, A. V. Gaynor, J. H. Derrickson, George D. Farra, Wm. H. Blake, 
Chas. Reynolds, P. J. Donnelly, Francis McCloskey, Patrick Neary, J. W. 
Farra, John Murray, Joseph McCloskey. 

Wm. Emmons was elected president and James Brown secretary. The 
charter was granted October 2, 1885. 

At a meeting on October 22, 1885. the following officers were elected : 
Commander, A. H. Grimshaw ; Senior Vice-Commander, P. J. Donelly; 
Junior Vice Commander, Patrick Neary; Chaplain, A. V. Gaynor; Surgeon, 
J. W. Farra; Quartermaster, Wm. G. Robelen ; Adjutant, Francis Mc¬ 
Closkey, Officer ol the Day, John Derrickson; Officer of the Guard, John 
Murray. 

The Post was instituted by Past Department Commander J. S. 
Litzenburg. 

Past Post Commanders—Col. A. H. Grimshaw, P. J. Donnelly, Wm. 
O’Conner, James Brown, E. L. Smith, Jos. K. Vickers, Moses Weil, Moses 
Bullock. 

The deceased members are Anton Hentze, Chas. Reynolds, A. H. 
Grimshaw, M. D., Jos. K. Vickers, John H. Dickerson. 

Present Officers—Commander, Comrade Geo. Hillsley ; Senior Vice- 
Commander, Comrade James Banthem, Junior Vice-Commander, Comrade 
Thomas Peters ; Chaplain, Comrade L. Dawson; Surgeon, Comrade Dr. E. 
G. Shortlidge ; Quartermaster, Comrade A. M. Blair ; Adjutant, Comrade 
James Brown; Officer of the Day, Comrade J. McLaughlin ; Officer of the 
Guard, Comrade James Aldred ; Inside Sentinel, Comrade Alfred Hunter. 

One of the remarkable events in the history of this post was a lecture 
by Father Wm. J. Birmingham at the Academy of Music on “ The Valor of 
the American Soldiers.” The proceeds of this lecture relieved their de- 







^ Whnbjt-on fie/- 


Rev. Moses Bullock. 

pleted treasury which had been drained to the last penny for the relief of 
needy comrades. They have spent since their organization #1,000 for 
beneficence. 


Installation and Camp Fire. 

On the first meeting night in January, 1892, U. S. Grant Post, No. 13, 
held a camp fire and installation of officers. Post Commander Dr. Grim- 
shaw installed the officers that had been elected at a previous meeting, viz : 

Commander, Moses Weil; S. V. C.,'Dr. E. G. Shortlidge ; J. V. L., 
John Shultz; Q. M., A. M. Blair; Surgeon. David Ford; Chaplain, P. G. 
Donolly ; O. of D., James M. Banthem ; O. of G., Henry Simpers; Trustees, 
Wm. O. Connor, Edward Smith, P. J. Donolly. Delegates to Department 
Encampment, A M. Blair, L. W. Palmer, James M. Banthem ; Alternates, 
Henry Simpers. John Shultz, J. Bradley. 

After installation speeches were made by Department Commander 
Lewis, Col. Hyatt, Past Commander Solomon, Dr. Shortlidge, Assistant 
Adjutant General Stradley, Aid-de-Camp Chas. A. Foster and other com¬ 
rades. 

Newly installed Commander Weil delivered the following address : 

“ Comrades : I have not words to express to you the gratitude of my 
heart for the great honor you saw fit to bestow on me, and I do believe 
there is not one comrade here in this post who will regret it during the year. 

Comrades, this is Grant Post, named after General U. S. Grant, the 
greatest general of history. As a loyal man, soldier and general, judged by 
his achievements, he has never had a superior. I am proud of that name. 
As long as I live I shall protect this post and my comrades, and preserve its 





io7 



Past Post Commander M. Weil. 

prestige. I shall do my duty as a commandant and as a comrade, and deal 
with all comrades in the most kindly feeling. All I ask in return is that my 
comrades will treat me likewise, stand by my side this year, and give me a 
helping hand. 

If any comrade in my Post has a prejudice feeling against any other 
one, I implore him to bury it in that * bourne whence no traveler has ever 
returned.’ 

We have no right to such a feeling in the Grand Army. You have 
sworn on this alter to protect all comrades, and, in a comrade’s affliction, to 
give him a willing hand. 

To buildup this post will require a great deal. We, in the first place, 
require a new home, where we can meet and enjoy the few days which we 
have to live on earth. When we march out we want the public to know 
that Grant Post is coming. 

To accomplish all this requires nothing but harmony and the same en¬ 
thusiasm we had when we stood shoulder to shoulder on the fields of battle. 

Let us have a little more kind feeling one toward another in the post 
and out. Let us visit one another more in the different post rooms and not 
have any selfish feeling. I think a comrade is a comrade, and that it 
makes no difference what post he belongs to or whether he served three 





years or three months. Where you follow this rule the Grand Army will be 
in harmony and the whole world will respect the Grand Army and the Star 
Spangled Banner. As a commandant, and as a comrade, I will be always 
with my comrades in joy and in distress and do my duty. 

Comrades, you can spare every week a few hours to visit your post and 
strengthen it. You cannot expect a few men to do the work of seventy. 

Thanking you, my comrades, for the kind attention with which you 
have listened to my remarks, and profoundly for the high honor you have 
conferred upon me, I trust every man of you has the grit and pluck to stand 
by me. 

Comrades, as you have elected me your commandant, if God spares 
my life and health for the coming year, I will fill the office and build up 
Grant Post, or it shall not be my fault.” 

After the speech of Commander Weil the Woman’s Relief Committee, 
who was admitted to witness the installation, filed out and prepared an ex¬ 
cellent lunch, and served with willing hands the boys of the G. A. R. an 
abundance of refreshments. 


Sketch of the Life of Col. A. H. Grimshaw. 

Col. Authur Grimshaw was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on January i6> 
1824, He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania of the class of 
1843, in which year he came to Delaware and engaged in the practice of 
his profession at DuPonts ppwder mills. 

Before settling in this State he was the resident physician of the Phila¬ 
delphia Dispensary and physician of the Friends’ Orphan Asylum for Col¬ 
ored Children ; also served as resident physician of the Philadelphia Alms¬ 
house. 

After three years spent at DuPont’s he removed to Wilmington in Janu¬ 
ary, 1848, and engaged in a large and useful practice in which he contin¬ 
ued until 1861, when he was appointed Postmaster by President Abraham 
Lincoln. On June 2, 1862, he was commissioned colonel and appointed 
mustering officer, and recruited the Fourth Delaware Regiment, Volunteer 
Infantry. He was wounded twice in the shoulder by'a fragment of a shell 
and in the right arm by a minnie ball. 

In civil life he served in positions of honor. He was for three years a 
member of the City Council for Wilmington, a member of the Board of 
Education from its formation up to 1882, aftd at one time its president. He 
succeeded the Hon. Willard Hall as Superintendent of Public Schools of 
New Castle county, and very wisely served the people in the several rela¬ 
tions in the community in which he lived. 

Dr. Grimshaw by his superior endowments and culture, served the best 
interests of education by writing two prize essays, one, “The Use of To¬ 
bacco,” the other, “Juvenile Delinquency.” He was a great friend to the 
poor, and rendered good medical service to the community in which he 
lived, so long known and remembered. 

Col. Grimshaw was the first man mustered into the Grand Army of 
Delaware, and was the Past Commander of Post No. 13, G. A. R. of Dela¬ 
ware ; a charter member of Encampment No. 34, Union Veteran Legion; 
a member of the Sons of the Revolution, and of the Delaware Medical and 
Historical Societies. 

Col. Grimshaw died on May 24, 1891, and was buried on the 27th with 
military honors. His funeral was a large one, attended by his comrades, 
by city officials and citizens, and those who knew him as their physician. 

A guard of honor from Grant Post, G. A. R., of which the deceased was 



log 




a member, stood guard over the remains previous to the funeral and sur¬ 
rounded the hearse during the procession to the grave. 

The religious ceremonies at the house and at the grave were conducted 
by the Rev. T. G. Littell, D. D., of St. John’s and the Rev. Charles E. Mur¬ 
ray, of St. Andrew’s P. E. Churches. 

The funeral procession was composed as follows: 

Hyatt’s Military Band, 

Fourth Delaware Regt. Association, 

Union Veteran Legion, 

» Grant Post, G. A R., 

Clergymen, 

Honorary Pall Bearers of the Sons 
of the Revolution, 

Hearse, 

Carriers and Guard of Honor from the Fourth Delaware Regiment 

and Grant Post, G. A. R. 

<1 





I IO 


Carriages containing relatives of the deceased, representatives of the 
Delaware Medical Society, Historical Society of Delaware, Sons of the 
Revolution, *Board of Education, Executive Department of the city and the 
State courts. 

The procession moved very slowly The solemn dirge effectively 
played by Hyatt’s Military Band, the soldiers with reversed arms, the torn 
and crape-wrapped battle-flags and the solemn tramp of the veteran sol¬ 
diers made an impressive scene. 

Of the Fourth Delaware Regiment Association there were about sixty 
men under the command of Colonel M. B. Gist; of the Union Veteran 
Legion twenty men under the command of H. A. Sheetz, and of Grant Post, 
G. A. R.. fifty-three men under command of Post Commander Moses Weil. 

The flags carried at the head of the line were the battle flags of the 
Fourth Regiment Delaware Volunteers under which the regiment fought in 
the Army of the Potomac. They were carried by members of the old color 
guard of the regiment, H. W. Perkins of D Company, and Joseph Duffy of 
B Company. 

A large crowd of people had gathered at the cemetery and around the 
grave, and it was with some difficulty, yet very quietly, that the soldiers 
marched around the grave. The services here were very simple and 
solemn. 

The religious services were conducted by the Episcopal church and the 
Grand Army service by the officers of U. S. Grant Post, No. 13. The salute 
in honor of the dead was fired by members of Grant Post, G. A. R.; the col¬ 
onel’s brigade bugler, James W. Agnew, sounded taps over his old com¬ 
mander’s grave, and the brave soldier, the skillful physician and loyal 
friend of his friends, Arthur Harper Grimshaw, was buried. 


Col. J. W. Andrews Post, No. 14, Department of Delaware, G- 
A. R., Odessa, Del 

Post Commander, Comrade G. W. Naudain; Adjutant, Comrade J. H. 
Enos; Quartermaster, Comrade W. W. Walker. 

Post meets every third Wednesday of the month. 

Past Commanders—W. U. Hamilton, M. Gremminger, D. W. Corbett, 
Jos. H. Enos, W. Wellington Walker, Jos. A. Rhodes, W. Wesley Walker. 

Memorial Day is appropriately observed by this Post, and national 
holidays are duly celebrated. The comrades are ever ready to assist needy 
comrades. 

$250 has been expended for charitable purpose and special relief since 
organization. 


Gen. John A. Logan Post, No. 15, Department of Delaware, G- 
A. R., of Magnolia, Del. 

Post Commander, Comrade W. E. Spayd; Adjutant, Comrade Thos. 
E. Lodge ; Quartermaster, Comrade W. J. Shannon. 

Past Commanders—John Anderson, Wm. Moore, T. E. Lodge, W. J. 
Shannon, W. E. Spayd. 

This Post observes Memorial Day and other national holidays, and 
renders financial aid to needy comrades. About $256 have been expended 
for relief since organization. ' 



111 


History of P. J. Pettijohn Post, No 16, G A. R., Department 
of Delaware, Millsboro’, Del- 

Sketch of the Life of P. J. Pettijohn. 

P. J. Pettijohn was born in Millsboro’, Sussex county, Delaware. He 
was engaged as a merchant when the war opened. He enlisted in the Third 
Regiment, Delaware Infantry Volunteers, of which he was made an adju¬ 
tant. He fought in several battles and was killed at Cold Harbor. 

History of the Post- 

The P. J. Pettijohn Post, No. 16, Department of Delaware, G. A. R., 
of Millsboro, was organized December 9, 1887, under the administration of 
Department Commander John E. Mowbray and Assistant Adjutant General 
H. J. Enwright. The charter members are as follows: 

Henry B. Mitchell, Charles R. Hastings, Seth W. Baker, John Long, 
Robert T. Lawson, Jacob R. Godwin, George W. Doney, Wm. P. Carey, 
Edward M. Downs, John Bailey, Elisha G. Truitt, John Lawson, Mathias 

B. Hobbs, James E. Pusey. 

The first officers were : 

Post Commander, Comrade Henry B. Mitchell; Senior Vice-Com- 
maner, Comrade Jacob R. Godwin; Junior Vice-Commander, Comrade 
John W. Hickman ; Chaplain, Comrade James S. Donoway ; Officer of the 
Day, Comrade Elisha G. Truitt; Quartermaster, Comrade Wm, P. Cary ; 
Quartermaster Sergeant, Comrade Edward M. Downs; Sergeant of the Guard, 
Comrade Jehu Lawson ; Sergeant Major, Comrade John T. Long ; Surgeon, 
Comrade, David H. Coffin. 

Past Post Commanders—Henry B. Mitchell, Nathan C. Messick. 

The present officers are as follows: 

Post Commander, Comrade Joseph B. Betts ; Senior Vice-Commander, 
Comrade John Dukes; Junior Vice-Commander, Comrade Ebenezer G, Col¬ 
lins ; Adjutant, Comrade Wm. E. Prettyman; Quartermaster, Comrade 
Wm. P. Carey ; Surgeon, Comrade Robert T. Lawson; Chaplain, Comrade 
Henry B. Mitchell; Officer of the Day, Comrade Jas. E. Conaway ; Officer 
of the Guard, Comrade Jehu Lawson , Sergeant Major, Comrade Edward 

C. Pusey ; Quartermaster Sergeant, Comrade Peter Hitchens. 

The present membership of the Post number 40, some of whom live ten 
and fifteen miles from Millsboro’. The Post usually unites with Post 18, of 
Georgetown, on Decoration Day, in the observance of that d,p,y. 

The Post celebrated Columbus Day, saluted the flag floating over the 
public school at Millsboro’, and in the evening held an open camp fire, 
when patriotic speeches were made. 

Sixty-four persons have been mustered into this Post since its organiza¬ 
tion, five of whom have died, namely, Stockley West, Henry Simpler, Wil¬ 
liam Mariner, James C. Short and John T. Long. The post has expended 
for charitable purposes $360. 

Unfurl tlie Star Spangled Banner. 

Written by Joseph F. Betts, Commander of P, J. Pettijohn Post, No. 16, 
Millsboro, Del., for 1893. 

Unfurl the Star Spangled Banner 
And let it float in the breeze, 

For all nations shall honor it 
Far, far beyond the broad seas. 

Americans do honor it, 

For its blessings they all share, 

No Star shines brighter in its field 
Than our little Delaware. 


I 12 


And away back in the sixties, 

Say some thirty } ? ears ago, 

Then the rebels did assault it, 

But they did not overthrow. 

Now the reason, I will tell you, 

Surely what I say is true, 

It was because the G. A. R’s, 

Went soldiering in their blue. 

With the rifle and the musket 
And some other weapons too, 

Then the G. A. R’s met the Tohnny grays, 
But they were dressed in blue. 

They fought on many battle fields 
Beneath the Union Flag, 

And to the Stars and Stripes were true 
They were never known to lag. 

And away down South in Dixey, 

Far in Bobby Lee’s own land, 

Right there, the G. A. R’s did concentrate, 
At General Grant’s command. 

And there they closed the matter out, 

They flogged the Rebel horde, 

Now don’t you know the G. A. R. was glad 
When poor Bob gave up his sword. 

About that time old Jeff did skip, 

He tried the trick of roaming, 

Dressed himself in female skirts 
And tried to be a woman. 

Alas, alas, that would not do 
And ere he’d gone very far, 

Don’t be surprised, if I should say, 

That he was caught by the G. A. R. 

General Sherman took a tramp 
Down in Old Georgiana, 

With the G. A. R. he speedily took 
The city of Savannah. 

Thence he did take a northward course 
Across the two Carolinas, 

Until he met General Grant 
Way down in Old Virginia. 

The G. A. R. through all the war 
Fought to save the Union, 

And they did save our dear old Flag 
Likewise, the Constitution. 

The boys in blue will soon be through 
Their earthly tribulations, 

But all can say, that it were they 
That once did save the Nation. 

The G. A. R. did close the war, 

Never more through blood to roam, 

With wives and sweethearts, now you see 
They are safely at their homes. 

Now let disloyals fight and rage 
To this I call attention, 

Its just because old Uncle Sam 
Now gives his boys a pension. 


Biography of Capt. W. L. Cannon. 

Captain W. L. Cannon, for whom the Post was named, was the eldest 
son of William Cannon, the war Governor. He was a graduate of Dicken¬ 
son College and was trained in a military school. 



He was occupying a position in Washington when the call came for him 
to return home and take command ot Company B of the First Delaware 
Cavalry. This was a company of picked men from Sussex county. He 
was a good officer and was beloved by all his men. 

He was thrown from a horse into a stream of water; contracted typhoid 
fever and died at Bellair, Hartford County, Md., 1863. 


History of Captain Wm. L. Cannon Post, No. 17, Gr. A. R. De¬ 
partment of Delaware, Bridgeville, Del. 

The Captain Wm. L. Cannon Post, No. 17, G. A. R. was organized 
January 20, 1888, with eleven charter members. 

The charter members are : 

T. B. Swain, D. D. Palmer, R. P. Swain, W. C. Robson, W. Patton, 
W. B. Hallowell, G. W. Stradley,'E. M. Hill. W. W. Needham, R. M. 
Hues. Henry Zull. 

The charter members are still living. 

Past Commanders—G. W. Stradley, J. Milman, T. B. Swain, E. M. 
Hill, R. P. Swain. 

The present commander is W. C. Robson. Present membership 48 ; 
lost by death 2. 

This Post placed a handsome memorial window in the M. E. Church of 
Bridgeville, in honor of Captain Wm. L. Cannon, the hero for whom they 
take their name, and have expended for beneficial purposes $550. 


History of Col. C. R. Layton Post, No. 18, Department of Del¬ 
aware, Gr- A. R. 

The Col. C. R. Layton Post, No. 18, was organized at Georgetown, Del., 
on January 28, 1888, by Department Commander John C. Mowbray, with 
the following charter members : 

John W. Messick, Wm. H. Torbert, Geo. W. Bennum, A. T. Layton, 
Jos. R. Layton, M. D., Jacob E. Faucett, Chas. H. Windsor, Alfred P. Pep¬ 
per, Wm. T. Chance, Geo. R. Evans, Richard Coulter. 

The first officers were : 

Post Commander, Comrade John W. Messick; Senior Vice-Commander, 
Comrade Wm. T. Chance ; Junior Vice-Commander, Comrade J. E. Fau¬ 
cett ; Adjutant, Comrade Geo. W. Bennum ; Quartermaster, Comrade A. T. 
Layton ; Surgeon, Comrade Jos. R. Layton ; Chaplain, Comrade Wm. H. 
Torbert; Officer of the Day, Comrade Richard Coulter : Officer of the Guard, 
Comrade C. H. Windsor; Sergeant-Major. Comrade George R. Evans, 
Quartermaster-Sergeant, Comrade A. P. Pepper. 

Past Commanders—John W. Messick, J. E. Faucett, R. C. Coulter, Jos. 
W. Willard. 

This Post has never failed to meet on Memorial Day and pay tribute to 
the dead. They purchased a number of lots in the Union Cemetery, which 
is reserved as a burying ground for all soldiers who die within the jurisdic¬ 
tion of the Post, that no brave soldier may have to be laid away in the Pot¬ 
ter’s Field, but to rest under the sod laid by the loyal hands of free and 
patriotic countrymen. Amount expended for relief and other sources 

Present Officers—Post Commander, John C. Short; Senior Vice-Com¬ 
mander, Wm. H. Torbert; .Junior Vice-Commander, C. H. Windsor; Ad¬ 
jutant, Geo. W. Bennum ; Quartermaster, J. W. Messick; Surgeon, J. R. 
Layton ; Chaplain, Harrison Rogers; Officer of the Day, Richard Coulter; 
Officer of the Guard, Jessie B. Littleton ; Sergeant Major, O. Williams ; 
Quartermaster Sergeant, John S. Littleton. 




Sketch of the Life of Captain Philemon C. Carter. 

Captain Philemon C. Carter, for whom Post 19, Department of Delaware, 
G. A. R., Harrington, Del., was named, was born in Mispillion hundred, 
Kent county, Del. 

After reaching manhood he pursued farming until the rebellion broke 
out, when he recruited the Sixth Regiment of Delaware Volunteer Infantry, 
and was appointed Captain of Company H. As captain of said company 
he did duty at Gunpowder river, at the time when Henry Gilmore, with his 
rebel command threatened the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore 
Railroad ; and whenever ordered was willing and ready to perform his 
duties as a soldier. After the war he was engaged in mercantile business. 
He died in 1888. 


History of Philemon C. Carter Post, No. 19, Department of 
Delaware, Gr. A. H-, Harrington, Del. 

Capt. Philemon C. Carter Post, No. 19, Department of Delaware, was 
organized at Harrington, Del., February 2, 1888, by Department Com¬ 
mander John Mowbray. The following are the charter members: 

Frederick J. Owens, Wm. J. Richards, J. W. Smith, D. Gordon, Edw. 
Wilson, Charles Rickards, Wm. H. Murphy, W. Calloway, Robert Atkin¬ 
son, J. G. Peckham, J. B. Simmons, Alexander Simpson, Samuel L. Shaw, 
R. H. Thomas, Levi Bowen, George Cain, Alexander Harrington, Elias 
Sapp, Matthew Goslin, Giles Foot, John Rickards. 

The first officers were : 

Commander, Fred. J. Owens ; Senior Vice-Commander, W.J. Richards; 
Junior Vice-Commander, J. B. Simmons ; Quartermaster, S. L. Shaw ; Adju¬ 
tant, Demorest Gordon ; Chaplain, J. W. Smith ; Surgeon, Alex. Simpson ; 
Officer of the Day, J. G. Peckham ; Officer of the Guard, Alex. Harrington. 

Past Commanders—Thos. J. Owens, 1888-9 ; W. J. Richards, 1890; 
Wm. Tharp, 1891 ; John W. Rickards, 1892. 

Fifty-eight comrades have been mustered in; of these three have died; 
two have been transferred to other posts, and one dropped from the roll. 

The present membership in good standing is fifty-two. 

The present officers are : 

Commander, Robert S. Downs; Senior Vice-Commander, J. G. Peck¬ 
ham; Junior Vice-Commander, James T. Simpson, Quartermaster, Elias 
Sapp; Chaplain, J. W. Smith; Surgeon, Thomas H. George; Adjutant, Alex. 
Simpson; Officer of the Day, James Saunders; Officer of the Guard, Wm.T. 
Simpson; Sergeant-Major, John Rickards; Quartermaster-Sergeant, Curtis 
Sapp. 

The Post has assisted sick comrades and aided the needy families of 
the comrades whenever it was in their power to do so. Since its organiza¬ 
tion it has expended the sum pf $500 dollars in the good cause. Value of 
property, $50.00. 

Camp Fires. 

The first camp fire held by Post 19, was in February, 1889, in Odd Fel¬ 
lows’ Hall, Harrington. An oration on the “Life and Character of James 
A. Garfield” by the Rev. Frank Howes, was followed by an address on 
“The Rise and Progress of the Order” by Comrade W. J. Richards. Reci¬ 
tations were given by Dr. J. F. Owens, Miss Hazel Foot and Miss Nattilla 
P. Owens. Patriotic music was rendered. Beans and hard tack were 
served. 

The next camp fire was held on November, 1890, in the M. E. Church, 
while it was undergoing repairs. Music and singing were furnished by the 



church choir. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. Jonathan S. Willis 
and Past Department Commander P. B. Ayars. Recitations were given by 
Miss Nattilla P. Owens, Mrs. Howes and Miss Flossie Richards. Charles 
Stradley sang a solo. Beans and hard tack were served. 

The third camp fire was held in the Post room in February, 1891. An 
address on the “Rise and Progress of the Country” was delivered by the 
Rev. Frank Howe. Martial music was rendered by Comrades Gordon and 
Wm. Franklin, and patriotic songs were sung. Cake, hard tack and beans 
were served. 

In 1888, the Post joined Gen. J. A. Garfield Post, No. 7, at Milford in 
commemorating Memorial Day ; in 1889, A. T. A. Torbert Post, No. 3, of 
Dover; in 1890, Capt. C. A. Layton Post, No. 18, of Georgetown; in 1891, 
Posts 3, 7, 11, 16, 17, 18 and 21, joined Post 19 at Harrington, and in 1892, 
Post No. 19 joined the W.L. Cannon Post, No. 17, of Bridgeville, in the ob¬ 
servance of that day. 4 


Col- Jacob Moore Post, No. 21, Department of Delaware, G- A. 
R., Frankford, Del. 

Post Commander, Comrade John Ryan ; Adjutant, Comrade J. J. Hast¬ 
ings ; Quartermaster, Comrade Robert Davis. 

Meets every second and fourth Saturday of the month. 

The members meet and pay tribute to their deceased comrades on Me¬ 
morial Day, and observe the national holidays. They look after and assist 
their needy comrades. Have expended $150 for relief. Value of property 
$ 3 °- 


Biography of Major John Jones. 

Major John Jones was a native of New Castle county, Del. His parents 
were of Revolutionary fame. He volunteered in defence of his country at 
Philadelphia in 1814. After this he turned his attention to agricultural and 
mechanical pursuits, and was mostly engaged on government contracts. 
He was elected vice-president of the United States Agricultural Society, and 
was regarded as an authority as a statistical writer. 

The Governor commissioned him as Major of the Militia, and it was 
through his efforts the Delaware block was placed in the national monu¬ 
ment at Washington. In his 74th year he was the first man who crossed 
Mason and Dixon’s line in defence of the Capitol, and was mustered into 
Cassius M. Clay’s Battalion, and did guard duty day and night. His inter¬ 
ment took place on September 17, 1869, at the First Presbyterian Cemetery, 
near Middletown. 


History of the Major John Jones Post, No. 22, Department 
of Delaware, G- A. R., Middletown, Del. 

The Major John Jones Post, No. 22, was mustered in at Middletown on 
May 29, 1889, by Department Commander Peter B. Ayars and Adjutant- 
General W. P. Voshell. 

The charter members are as follows: 

A. S. Naudain, Jos. B. Deakyne, C. W. Jones, W. W. Wilson, J. C. 
Wilson, D. L. Dunning, Wm. N. Wilson, C. T. Hall, Wm. D. King, John 
L. Wilson, J. L. Parsons, R. I. Lockwood, L. B. Lee, Isaac T. Wilson, John 
W. Dickerson, Jacob Hamilton, Joseph Dulaney. 





n6 


Past Commanders—D. L Dunning, 1889; Thos. W. Buck, 1890; C. N. 
Dodd, 1891; C. M. Stanger, 1892. 

Present Officers—Commander, Comrade J. C. Wilson; Senior Vice- 
Commander, Comrade W. T. Stewart; Junior Vice-Commander, Comrade 
Geo. Echahof; Quartermaster, Comrade Jos. B. Deakyne ; Adjutant, Com¬ 
rade A. S. Naudain ; Chaplain, Comrade D. L. Dunning; Officer of the 
Day, Comrade C. M. Stanger ; Officer of the Guard, Comrade J. L. Wilson; 
Sergeant Major, Comrade J. W. Jolls; Quartermaster Sergeant, Comrade 
R. B. McKee, M. D. 

The Post has been very active in all patriotic demonstrations and ren¬ 
dered much assistance to needy comrades when opportunity presented 
itself. They have expended since their organization about #350, and value 
of their property is $60. 

The Great Commander above has mustered out of service two com¬ 
rades who were called to the haven of rest within the last two years, viz :— 
Comrades Wm. N. Wilson and Wm. T. Sharp. 

As a Post they have labored in the spirit of Fraternity, Charity and Loy¬ 
alty, while they have on roll about 30. They have kept up the organi¬ 
zation always with a fair average attendance. Memorial service has 
been observed on each Decoration Day. While they have no charity fund 
yet their hearts and hands have been opened for distressed comrades and 
their widows. 

Much might be said that would be of interest, but feel in their com¬ 
radeship that it is better felt than expressed, and have resolved that Fratern¬ 
ity, Charity and Loyalty shall be the watchword until the last summons 
shall come to call all to the great camping grounds above, where wars and 
rumors of wars are not known. 



History of Phil. Sheridan Post, No- 23, Department of Dela¬ 
ware, (*• A. R., Wilmington, Del. 

After the charter members had held a number of preliminary meetings 



I]t 7 

they met in the Smyth Post room, Third and King streets, June 4, 1890, to 
form a permanent organization. 

The following officers were nominated, elected and installed, under the 
administration of .Department Commander J. S. Litzenburg : 

Post Commander, Robert McCaulley ; Senior Vice-Commander, L. P. 
Roderick; Junior Vice-Commander, Theo. Kendall; Chaplain, C. K. Gil¬ 
more ; Officer of the Day, C. A. W. Frishmuth ; Officer of the Guard, J. C. 
Hillsburg ; Quartermaster, E. F. Huber ; Surgeon, Asbury McDonnell. 
Trustees—Robt. G. Turner, Thos. Gallagher, Wm. B. Norton. 

Past Commanders—Robert McCaulley, Wm. B. Norton, A. J. Schrack. 
Present Officers—Post Commander, James W. Agnew; Senior Vice- 
Commander, John A. Orr; Junior Vice-Commander, Caleb Woodrow; Officer 
of the Day, Wm. B. Norton ; Officer of the Guard, Uriah Berry ; Adjutant, 
Lewis B. Roderick; Surgeon, Moses Weil; Quartermaster, Wm. Riley; Ser¬ 
geant-Major, James Engle; Quartermaster-Sergeant, A.J. Schrack; Sentinel, 
Alex. Hudson; Chaplain, John Guthrie. 

Trustees—J. L. French, C. L. Jefferies, A. T. Hyatt. 

Have expended for relief #500 since organization. Value of property, 
I650. 


G. A. R. Officers Elected and Installed. 

The following officers of Phil. Sheridan Post, G. A. R., were installed 
by Assistant Adjutant General John B. Stradley, of the Department of Dela¬ 
ware, to serve during the year 1891 : 

Commander, William B. Norton ; Senior Vice-Commander, George C. 
Maris; Junior Vice-Commander, Jonathan French; Chaplain, John D. 
Woodward ; Officer of the Day, C. A. W. Frishmuth ; Officer of the Guard, 
John C. Hilberg; Surgeon, Thomas Freese; Quartermaster, Edwin F. 
Uber; Trustee, William Clavey, Delegates to the Department Encamp¬ 
ment, C. L. Jefferis, Caleb Churchman, A. T. Hyatt, John A. Orr; Alter¬ 
nates, Isaac A. Righter, Thos. Freese. William Clavey, James W. Agnew ; 
Captain of the Firing Party, James W. Agnew ; Lieutenant, Theo. Kendall. 

After installation Col. Stradley, at the request of an unknown comrade, 
presented to Phil. Sheridan Post, No. 23, a beautiful Bible, which was re¬ 
ceived on behalf of the Post by Col. Norton. 


An Interesting Entertainment. 

Phil. Sheridan Post, No. 23, held an interesting entertainment on 
March 9, 1892, at the Opera House. Col. A. J. Woodman, showed some 
fine stereoptican views of places he had visited while in Europe. 

A camp fire was held, Col. A. T. Hyatt presiding. A speech was 
made by Post Commander Wm. Norton. 

Colonel Hyatt, on behalf of the Past Department Commander, pre¬ 
sented to the Post a picture of the Washington Committee, twenty-three in 
number. On behalf of the Post, Commander Adam Schrack received it. 
Chairman Hyatt also presented Commander Schrack with a very fine look¬ 
ing cake, nicely decorated with ornaments and flags. 

After a speech by Commander Weil, refreshments were served and the 
camp fire closed. 


Initial Camp Eire. 

Phil. Sheridan Post, No. 23, Wilmington, held its first camp fire on 
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1892. On the stage was erected an arch trimmed 





with flags and decorated with badges. In the background was a portrait of 
Gen. Phil. Sheridan. 

The camp fire opened at 8 o’clock, Col. A. T. Hyatt, presiding. Ad¬ 
dress of welcome was delivered by Col. Norton. Patriotic speeches were 
made by Col. A. J. Woodman, Past Commander Solomon, of Smyth Post, 
No. i, Judge Advocate Robert Fraim, Department Chaplain McCoy, Past 
Department Commander Ayars, Col. Samuel Macallister, Col. Gormley, of 
*>Post No. 5, Dr, Shortlidge and Senator John P. Donahoe. Patriotic songs 
were sung by P. Commander Vantine and J. J. Gormley, Adjutant of Post 
No. 5. _ 


Post No. 24. 

Abraham Lincoln Post, No. 24, Department of Delaware, G. A. R.» 
Frankford, Del., was organized on Saturday, January 31, 1890, with 18 
charter members. 

Amos Brown has been Commander since its organization. 

Commander for 1893, Amos Brown; Adjutant, Albert Welden; Quarter¬ 
master, Geo. W. Moore. 

This Post observes Memorial Day and the other national holidays. 

The members look after the needy comrades and their families and 
render them financial aid. Value of property, #25. 


Post No. 25. 

Capt. Hydrick Post, No. 25, Department of Delaware, G. A, R„ Sea- 
ford, Del., organized in 1891, under the administration of Department Com¬ 
mander A. J. Woodman, with Commander, George P. Culleny ; Adjutant, 
Henry C. Parker; Quartermaster, E. H. Spicer. 

Present Officers—Commander, Comrade Geo. P. Culleny ; Adjutant, 
Comrade H. C. Twilley; Quartermaster, Comrade E. H. Spicer. 

Expended $100 for various purposes of charity. Met with a loss of all 
their property in the school house fire, where they held their meetings then. 


Post No. 26. 

H. W. McColley Post, No. 26, Department of Delaware, G. A. R., Mil¬ 
ford, Del., organized in 1891, under the administration of Department Com¬ 
mander A. J. Woodman. Post Commander, Comrade Geo. Adams; Adju¬ 
tant, Comrade Henry Parker; Quartermaster, Comrade Henry Caulk. 

Meets first and third Thursday. Past Commanders, W. H. Sorden, 
John W. Truitt. 


Post No. 27. 

Sherman Post, No. 27, Department of Delaware, G. A. R., Bridgeville, 
Del. Organized in 1892, under the administration of Department Com¬ 
mander Geo. W. Stradley. 

Post Commander, Comrade Robt. Elegood; Adjutant, Comrade James 
Brumel; Quartermaster, Comrade P. Perkins. Meets every Thursday even¬ 
ing. 


History of tlie First G- A. R. Post in U. S. A. 

Dr. B. F. Stephenson has the credit of organizing the first camp fire 
Post at Decatur, Ill., in April, 1866, from which the present organization of 
the Grand Army of the Republic originated. 









There were only forty-three union soldiers in the village of Decatur, 
but they eagerly responded to Dr. Stephenson’s plan to organize a Post. So 
successful was this Post and its popularity spread so rapidly that before six 
months had passed Dr. Stephenson had, in response to invitations, organ¬ 
ized over forty other Posts in the State. 

Realizing the need of central organization and general regulations, a 
convention of the Posts of Illinois was held in Springfield, in July. Dr. 
Stephenson was elected Provisional Commander-in-Chief and headquarters 
were established at Springfield, Ill. 

The growth of the order was so rapid in adjoining States, and the Posts 
became so numerous, that on October 3], 1866, the Provisional Commander- 
in-Chief issued a call for representatives from the several States to form a 
national organization. 

The convention met in Indianapolis, Ind., on the 20th of November, 
1866, and Posts were represented from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, 
Kentucky, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and the District 
of Columbia. 

At that meeting plans were adopted for the organization of Posts, State 
Departments and a National Encampment, as they exist now. 

A committee was appointed to prepare a ritual and laws for the govern¬ 
ment of the organization. F. C. and L. was adopted as a motto. None 
but honorably discharged soldiers and sailors could be initiated into its 
ranks; no man who had been disloyal to his country or his flag could be¬ 
come a member. 

At this convention the political feature was entirely discountenanced by 
the adoption of the following law : 

“ No officer or comrade of the G. A. R. shall in any manner use this 
organization for partisan purposes, and no discussion of partisan questions 
shall be permitted at any of its meetings, nor shall any nomination for politi¬ 
cal office be made.” 

The Second National Encampment met in Philadelphia, on January 15, 
1868, and in addition to the State Departments represented at the first en¬ 
campment were the Departments of Maine, New Hampshire,Vermont,Massa¬ 
chusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, 
Michigan, Minnesota, Tennessee and Louisiana. 


The First Post in Delaware. 

On February 11, 1867, a Grand Army Post was instituted in Wilming¬ 
ton, Del., with the following charter members: 

Dr. A. H. Grimshaw, E. C. Alexander, D. H. Kent, J. M. Pennington, 
E. C. Jeffries, J. L. McDaniel, S. J. Stevenson, Frank A. Taylor, S. S. 
Southard, Jr., A. D. O’Meara, John Carroll, Joseph E. Booth, Wm. R. Post- 
les, Geo. Thompson, Chas. P. Bonney, James Lewis, Wm. H. Brady, Thos. 
H. C. Challenger, Wm. Green, J. S. Valentine, A S. Wooley, J. J. Toner, 
M. W. Macklin, E. P. Grubb, Wm. H. Cloward, John M. Dunn, Sylvester 
Solomon, E. C. Stotsenberg, Jr., Wm Bowen, R. E. Hayes. 

The following officers were elected and installed: 

Post Commander, James Lewis; Senior Vice-Commander, D. H. Kent; 
Junior Vice-Commander, E. C Jeffries; Adjutant, Frank A. Taylor; Quar¬ 
termaster, R. E. Hayes; Surgeon, A. D. O’Meara ; Chaplain, Joseph E. 
Booth. 

Past Post Commanders—James Lewis, Thomas Challenger, 1867; J. S. 
Valentine, J. M. Williamson, 1868; John P. Wales, Frank Nolen, 1869. 

This Post worked under the name of Encampment No. 1, until July 19, 
1869, when the name Thos. A. Smyth Post. No. 1, was adopted. This Post 
struggled along until the fall of 1871, when it was disbanded. 



120 


Dr. A. H. Grimshaw was the first man to bring the G. A. R. work into 
the State of Delaware, he having been initiated into the Order at Chicago, 
Ill., by Dr. |B. F. Stephenson. 

The Post (or encampment as then called), was instituted in the office of 
Dr. Grimshaw in the second story of No. 302 Market street, and several 
meetings were held there, until a room was secured in the second story of 
the Wilmington Institute Building, over the store at the corner of Eighth and 
Market streets. 



B. & O. Station, Delaware Avenue. 














I 21 


The Yeterans’ Western Trip on the Famous and Picturesque 
B. & 0. R, R., to the 25th National Encampment. 

The trip to Detroit by the Delaware delegation was attended by about 
8i in all. It left here at 8.47 August 2, 1891, in the morning, with a day 
coach and a sleeper provided by our esteemed citizen, H. M. Miller, the B. 
& O.’s polite and attentive agent. In order to insure our success and com¬ 
fort he accompanied us to Washington. At Baltimore he was joined by 
Mr. B. F. Bond, the genial and obliging agent of the passenger and ticket 
department, to complete the arrangements for all the specials leaving the 
Capitol City for Detroit. We joined the Department of the Potomac and 
went on our way rejoicing. Mr. S. B. Hege, city passenger agent B. & O. 
R. R., accompanied us, and with polite attention made the entire trip an ex¬ 
ceedingly pleasant one. The entire department speaks in the loudest praise 
of the attention of the B. & O. and its officials for their kind attention. 

As our beloved city of Wilmington receded from our view, we beheld 
attractive scenery, rich and fertile lands, ripened grain, and trees loaded 
with their precious fruitage. Deep ravines and swelling creeks were 
spanned by magnificent masonry or gigantic structures of iron. Those of 
Brandywine and the noble Susquehanna are numbered among some of the 
wonders of mechanism and genius of the 19th century. In passing over the 
Susquehanna river on the famous bridge, you ride higher than trees and 
passengers exclaim, “Oh ! how lovely the scenery is !” For as far as the 
eye can carry you north the little business town of Port Deposit, and the 
ranges of hills and the river beyond on the south, sailing vessels, steam¬ 
boats, row boats and sailing yachts that played about in the river and flats 
at the head of the Chesapeake Bay are in full view of the admiring passengers. 
On we go over deep ravines, and through deep and rocky cuts and cross the 
head of the Gunpowder river, at Lorely, the historic spot and trial days of 
our fathers during the Revolutionary struggle and where the famous brig¬ 
ade, the National Guards of Maryland, encamped. We pass on to the boat, 
thence to Camden station. From there the Washington limited passes the 
old historic Relay House, which was headquarters for soldiers during the 
war, with its beautiful hotel, fountains, monuments and flower gardens, and 
over the magnificent structure that spans the often troublesome Patapsco 
river. 

Thus we pass on through a level country with pretty lawns and flower 
gardens, and new towns that are fast building up by various improvement 
companies, until Washington is reached. We arrived on time, and a few 
minutes after pulled out for Detroit, joining the Old Guard. 

The Royal Blue Line which run us to Washington, is one of the best 
equipped in the service. It gives you all the luxury, ease and comfort that 
is known in modern travel. The splendid dining car service to satisfy the 
inner man on his travels is complete in every detail. The combined luxury 
of this line is all that skill and genius can make it. 

The polite attention of the agents, conductors, brakemen and porters make 
it a pleasure for its patrons. Leaving Washington for the West we pass 
through a beautiful and somewhat hilly country, yet teeming with life. In 
the towns as well as the farming districts was seen vigorous growth as well 
as improvements. All through the farming districts you will admire the 
fruitage, ripened grain and waving corn. Out almost alone stands the 
luminous signal crops station, where during the war many of the movements 
of the enemy were exposed, Sugar Loaf Mountain towering up indepen¬ 
dently above its fellows in height as well, as in history. We reach Wash¬ 
ington Junction. A short halt is made for exchange of passengers. 


122 



. Picturesque B. & O. R. R. 
Point of Rocks. 


We reach Point of Rocks where our regiment had its headquarters after 
the battle of Antietam and guarded the fords and the canal to stop the of¬ 
fenders from smuggling contraband goods from Point of Rocks to Sandy 
Hook, where our line extended. 





Picturesque B. & O. R. R.— Harper’s Ferry, Maryland and Loudon Heights 








































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































124 


When we reached Harper’s Ferry, we were again reminded of the de- 
bateable grounds in history and many events that seem to centre there, 
with the picturesque heights of the Blue Ridge on the Maryland and Virginia 
side, whose rocky ribbed walls bid defiance to the swelling, surging waters 
of the bold Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. The turbulent waters of these 
two historic rivers fret the base of the soaring cliffs that guard the gateway 
to the Valley of Virginia. 

Early in the spring of 1861 Harper’s Ferry was occupied by Generals 
Joe Johnson and Stonewall Jackson. The Federal troops were encamped 
almost immediately opposite at Sandy Hook. The experience of passen¬ 
gers on board the B. & O. trains during that period was of a character not 
altogether pleasant: stopped on the Maryland side of the river by the 
Union forces, and again on the Virginia side by the Confederate forces, a 
man had to be careful and remember what he said to either party. 

The Potomac and Shenandoah rivers were debateable waters. Were 
they permitted to speak they could tell a sad tale of woe of many conflicts. 
We leave the historic spot with John Brown’s fort in full view from the car 
windows. 



Picturesque B. & O. R. R. 


Main Street, Harper’s Ferry. 








I2 5 


We’speed away following the debateable historical Potomac, winding 
through tunneled hills from one side to the other until you leave it for good.. 



Picturesque B. & O. R. R. 
Signaling from Loudon Heights. 


After the battle of South Mountain and Antietam, the most of the army 
of Gen. McClelland forded the Potomac river at Harper’s Ferry, and 
marched up on Bolivar Heights and encamped there. Here they suffered 
terribly with chronic diarrhea. 

Gen. Burnside with his army crossed the Potomac at Weaverton, a 
mile and a half further down the river from Harper’s Ferry, and re-crossed 
again at Berlin, possibly two miles below Weaverton, and proceeded to 
Washington, A portion of Gen. French’s command was detailed to 
guard Maryland Heights just across the river from Harper’s Ferry. A 
regiment from each brigade was ordered from Bolivar Heights, and the 









Picturesque B. & O. R. R. 

Shenandoah Valley. 

Fifth Maryland was chosen from Gen. Max Weber’s Third Brigade, and 
a part of a hard winter was put in there. One of the most welcome 
things that arrived there was the Sutler. It was through him that we got 
little knick-knacks, although we paid twice the value of them. 

Many a comrade would sit for hours and point with pride from Bolivar 
Heights, and tell the part he took in the salvation of his country in those 
perilous times. No small number of old soldiers have stopped there since 
then, and brought their children with them ; and future children of the old 
soldiers will visit there with interest. There is no place more absorbing in 
its interest, nor more sacred and cherished than Harper’s Ferry and its sur¬ 
roundings. 

The B. & O. Railroad really is rightly named the picturesque road, for 
the grandeur of those lofty hills and mountains are beautiful and abound 
with the sublimest scenery. It is proper that I should make mention of 
Hancock. Here you change cars for Berkley Springs. Well do we remem¬ 
ber the time just before the battle of Gettysburg and after the battle of 
Winchester, W. Va., when we halted here for the night, after two day’s hard 







127 





marching, shoeless and hungry. We succeeded in gettingsomegood water 
and rations and a comfortable sleep for the night. Our command con¬ 
sisted of 12th W. Va. Infantry, 87th Penna. Infantry, a portion of 5th Md. 
and other regiments we cannot call to mind just now. However, very 
early next morning, we were hustled out at the peep of day to take to the 
mountains, for the rebel cavalry, 20,000 strong, followed close behind by 
a brigade of infantry, was coming down the Cumberland pike. We soon 
marched and toiled to reach the mountains, keeping the mountain roads to 
Pennsylvania, out of their reach, until we reached Clearfield, Pa. At this 
point of our travel we are reminded of the cry of our newsboys in^the 
early part of the war, ‘ all quiet along the Potomac.” 


All Quiet Along the Potomac. 

“All quiet along the Potomac to-night,” 

Except now and then a stray picket 

Is shot, as he walks on his beat to and fro, 

By a rifleman laid in the thicket. 

’Tis nothing—a private or two now and then 
Will not count in the news of the battle ; 

Not an officer lost—only one of the men— 

Moaning out, all alone, the death rattle. 

“ All quiet along the Potomac to-night,” 

Where the soldiers lie peacefully dreaming ; 

Their tents, in the rays of the clear autumn moon, 
Or the light of the watch fires, are gleaming. 

A tremulous sigh, as the gentle night wind 
Through the forest leaves slowly is creeping, 

While the stars up above, with their glittering eyes 
Keep guard—for the army is sleeping. 

There is only the sound of the lone sentry’s tread, 
As he tramps from the rock to the fountain, 

And thinks of the two on the low trundle-bed, 

Far away in the cot on the mountain. 










Picturesque B. & O. R. R. 


His musket falls slack—his face, dark and grim, 
Grows gentle with memories tender, 

As he mutters a prayer for his children asleep— 

For their mother, may Heaven defend her ! 

The moon seems to shine as brightly as then, 

That night, when the love yet unspoken 
heaped up to his lips, and when low-murmured vows 
Were pledged to be ever unbroken. 

Then drawing his sleeve roughly over his eyes, 

He dashes off tears that are willing, 

And gathers his gun close up to its place, 

As if to keep down the heart swelling. 

$ 

He passes the fountain, the blasted pine tree, 

The footstep is lagging and weary, 

Yet onward he goes, through the broad belt of light, 
Toward the shades of the farest so dreary. 

Hark ! was it the night wind that; rustled the leaves ? 

Was it moonlight so wondrously flashing ? 

It looked like a rifle—ha ! Mary, good-by ! 

And the life-blood is ebbing and splashing ! 

“All quiet along the Potomag to-night,” 

No sound save the rush of the river 
While soft falls the dew on the face of the dead— 

The picket’s on duty forever ! 
































129 



We now come back to the trip. Leaving Hancock, following 
the interesting stream within a few miles of Cumberland, the road courses 
off the Potomac to enter Cumberland. 

A short stop is made here for Pittsburg passengers. The Cumberland 
branch, is another picturesque road. The Oueen City Hotel is one of the 
principal hotels owned and operated by the B. & O. R. R. Co. We leave 
Cumberland re-crossing the Potomac, running down the Potomac Valley 
along the great helpers of the Alleghanies, passing through Keyser and 
Piedmont, striking the ascent of the mountains beyond Piedmont. Here 
we find one plateau after another rises up in sublime grandeur; you must 
see and fathom its magnificent beauty; the deep ravines, the flowering 
mountain clefts, the beautiful streams thousands of feet below, wending 





1 3 o 



Picturesque B. & 0 . R. R. 

Cumberland and the National Bridge at the Narrows. 
their way that looks like a white thread, gives it surpassing beauty. When 

frnm' 1 • ? adC and the , hl S hest P° int is reached (Altamont), the streams 
om the point run east and west. Crab Tree river runs down the moun¬ 
tain to the Potomac, the Little Yough runs down into the notorious Cheat 
river westward. Coming down the mountain to Deer Park, a famous sum- 















Deer Park.—Picturesque B. & O. R. R 































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































1 3 2 


mer resort, where President Cleveland has a cottage, and many of our fash¬ 
ionable people have cottages and reside there all summer. 

The B. & O. R. R. Co. owns and operates four fine hotels there, and Oak¬ 
land, another popular resort in the heart of the Alleghanies. All the com¬ 
forts of home and pure enjoyment can be found there. Mt. LakePark is a 
religious summer resort, where thousands of people go for religious worship 
every year. Passing on, we again ascend the summit of the Alleghanies, 
at Terra Alta, When you get nearly to the top of this ascent there is pre¬ 
sented to your view a panorama of beautiful views that is indescribably 
grand. Beholding its beauty, the rising cleft, the glade, the plateaus, the 
mountain stream, the sheep path and the mountain road, it is a combined 
gallery ot romantic loveliness. We cross the Cheat river and make anothe r 



PlCTURKSQUE B. & O. R. R. 

Cheat River and Buck Horn Wall, 

ascent up the grade over the Buck Horn Wall, with its magnificent scenery 
excels all the pictures of the gallery. It is unsurpassing in loveliness. 

In passing over the beautiful mountains of the Alleghanies one would 
never tire in beholding the magnificent scenery that rises up continually 
before him in sublime grandeur, towering up thousands of feet above him, 
and equally as much below him. We can only give you a faint idea of 
their natural beauty that lies before the traveler. From the time you ascend 
the mountain at Piedmont until y ou descend it from the Cheat river grade 
you behold a wonderful gallery of beautiful views that are without an equal, 






T 33 


and as a picturesque railroad the B. & O. stands without a peer. Its man¬ 
agement under its present officials have made its system one of the leading 
roads of the country, and many things excel that of its competitors. 

We ran off of the main line at the Chicago Junction via Monroeville, Tole¬ 
do, Ohio and Milan, Michigan, thence to Detroit by the Wabash route. Being 
in company with the Old Guard, who, by the way, have good soldiers as 
well as good company, the monotony of the long ride was broken. 

We took supper at Grafton, at the intersection of two roads—the North¬ 
western and the Southwestern system of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad; the 
Southwestern road leading to Parkersburg, Cincinnati aad St. Louis, the 
Northwestern branch to Chicago, crossing the Ohio river at Benwood, Va. 
The former branch crosses the Ohio at Parkersburg, Va. 

After leaving Grafton, until you reach the Ohio river, and for miles into 
Ohio, inland, you find one continuously hilly country, but as fertile as a val¬ 
ley, and abounding in fruit. The interior of Ohio is a beautiful level 
country. 

Arriving at the Chicago Junction, very early in the morning, the writer 
was reminded of 1861 and 1865, when the company’s cooks and non-com¬ 
missioned officers would cry out, “Fall out, boys, and get your coffee.” 

From the Ohio river to Monroeville, you pass through a beautiful 
country, with its many oil wells and natural gas, stopping at Monroeville; 
thence to Toledo. Ohio; an attractive route and full of interest to the travel¬ 
ler. We breakfasted at Toledo, and arrived at Detroit in good time for 
dinner. 

The boys all marched with small baskets of peaches in their hands, and 
each wore a bronze badge, the bar of which represented a diamond. At¬ 
tached to this diamond was a peach basket heaped up with the fruit. The 
cry went up from the comrades, “Hurrah for Delaware; she has the 
peaches this year.” We received a hearty welcome. 

We were escorted by the Old Guard to our headquarters, the High 
School Building, near the City Hall. During our stay and on our home 
trip we were the recipients of much kindness and attention, which has 
ripened into a friendship for the Old Guard that can never be forgotten. We 
shall always remember the pleasant association of our trip to Detroit with 
them, and the excellent band that accompanied us and discoursed such 
good music, that was second to none. 

On Friday evening we filed into the depot of Detroit en route for home 
via Windsor Grand Trunk Railroad. Our first stop after leaving Detroit 
was on the Suspension Bridge at Niagara Falls, where the passengers had 
a beautiful view of the American and Canadian Falls. We stayed at Niag¬ 
ara four hours. All the places of interest were visited; the Islands, Cave of 
the Winds, the Rapids and the Whirlpool. We took a ride on the Maid of 
the Mist, and secured some Indian relics from the offspring of the aborigines 
of the beautiful summer resort, of which we could say in a Scriptural term, 
“The half has never been told.” When we looked upon some of the half- 
breeds (Indians) we thought of what Mark Twain called them, “dilapidated 
relics of bygone grandeur.” 

From Niagara we take the Erie & Lehigh Valley via Buffalo, Waverly 
and Bethlehem, passing through the beautiful Lehigh Valley by daylight. 
The attractive scenery in crossing the mountains on this road is indescriba¬ 
bly grand. 

At Wilkesbarre we partook of an excellent breakfast, leaving there for 
Bethlehem via Philadelphia. While we felt somewhat weary, the whole 
route was interesting and attended with many pleasing incidents. After 
lunch at the B & O. station at Philadelphia, the band that accompanied the 
Old Guard played the sweetest music, among the selections being “ Nearer 


134 


my God, to Thee,” after which the Chaplain of the Old Guard led in prayer. 
The audience was then dismissed and every one went to his seat in the cars. 

On the arrival of the delegation of Delaware at Wilmington they bid 
them kindly adieu until 1892, when the Old Guard responded, “ We’ll give 
you a hearty welcome at Washington, then, boys!” 


The Twenty-Sixth National Encampment at Washington, D. C- 

The Twenty-sixth Annual Encampment of the Grand Army was held 
in Washington, D. C., on September 20-23, 1892. 

General John Palmer, the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army, and 
General Phisterer, Assistant Adjutant-General, had their headquarters at 
the Ebbitt House, where they held a reception on the morning of the 19th. 
General Palmer was escorted to the encampment by the Albany batallion. 

Never before in the history of the Union have the nation’s defenders, 
the war-scarred veterans, the loyal sons and daughters of the Grand Army 
of the Republic, and the various patriotic organizations throughout the 
United States been honored as they were on the evening of the 19th, with a 
reception in the rotunda of the Capitol. The event will undoubtedly prove 
the most memorable of the many. 

When the historic bronze doors at the east entrance of the rotunda 
swung open to admit the first detachment of the crowd, the sight which 
greeted the strangers was one which held no parallel in their memory, as 
never before has the rotunda been used for the purpose of a reception. 

The nearest approach to anything of the kind was some fifteen years 
ago, when it was used for a Martha Washington tea party. After that, on 
account of the damage done to the pictures and walls generally, it was de¬ 
cided by Congress never to grant the use of the place again for any gather¬ 
ing of people. This decision was overruled at the last session of Congress, 
when Mrs. Logan personally petitioned that a notable exception be made in 
favor of the G. A. R. encampment, which is so destinctively national in 
character. The peculiar fitness of the rotunda as the place in which to re¬ 
ceive the G. A. R. veterans was urged in view of the fact that it was there 
the soldiers, who came to Washington, were quartered when the firing on 
Fort Sumter necessitated a call for troops. 

THE RECEIVING PARTY. 

Mrs, John A. Logan stood at the head of the line, wearing an elegant 
gown of lavender brocade striped in white with a narrow line of black, 
made in the style prevalent during the reign of Louis XIV. Black thread 
lace completed the costume, with which the only ornament worn was the 
ivory medallion portrait of Gen. Logan, painted in Rome, which hung from 
a band of velvet about her throat. 

Mrs. John W. Foster, wife of the Secretary of State, stood next, and in 
giving her greeting to the veterans made her initial appearance in public as 
the wife of a Cabinet Minister. Mrs. Foster’s gown was rose pink moire 
with trimmings of white thread lace and diamonds. 

Mrs. Charles Foster, wife of the Secretary of the Treasury, stood third 
in line, in a gown of maroon satin over a petticoat of pink moire. 

Mrs. John W. Noble, wife of the Secretary of the Interior, wore a gown 
of white silk brocaded in roses, with trimmings of rose-color passementerie 
and Watteau back, forming a full train. 

Mrs. William H. Miller, wife of the Attorney-General, wore a court 
train of pearl-gray satin over a petticoat of pink silk, with draperies of lace. 

Mrs. J. M. Rusk, wife of the Secretary of Agriculture, wore a gown of 
silver gray, flowered in pink brocade. 



*35 


Miss Clara Barton, peach-blow brocade satin, with court train of nile 
green satin. 

The other ladies of the receiving party were seven past national presi¬ 
dents, W. R. C. 


Doubtless there was never a happier incident in John Palmer’s life than 
one which transpired in the Ebbitt’s parlors on Tuesday evening—the pre¬ 
sentation to him of a magnificent golden badge of beautiful design, exqui¬ 
site workmanship, and sparkling with gems of the first water. The badge 
was suggestive of the G. A. R., in every detail. At the top an eagle, below 
a gold bar, diamond edged, from which depended a Maltese cross shining 
with diamonds, and then the regulation G. A. R. badge. This beautiful 
token cost over $1,000, and was the gift of Gen. Palmer’s aids, who had 
formed a regular association, every member of the staff contributing. These 
aids had also caused to be made another beautiful badge for Mrs. Palmer, 
the wife of their Commander-in-Chief. It, too, was wrought of gold and 
diamonds, and was fashioned after the badges worn by the aids themselves. 

Prior to the presentation the association was called to order by the chief 
aid and president, C. Hull Grant. After a statement relating to financial 
matters by the treasurer, Mrs. Palmer was elected an honorary member of 
the association, and a committee was appointed to wait on the Commander- 
in-Chief and escort him to the scene. The badge to Mrs. Palmer was pre¬ 
sented first, and very gracefully, through Secretary Brown, to which Gen. 
Palmer, in her behalf, made a fitting response. Then Chief Aid Grant 
made the speech of his life in tendering, the badge to his commander. It 
was heartily applauded, and so was the subject of his eulogium, when he 
arose to express his gratitude for the princely gift of his official family. It 
was evident that the General was deeply touched. He spoke from his heart 
and eloquently, and yet with a strain of pathos that affected all present 
when he alluded to the near approach of the time when all those in sound 
of his voice and all those who wore the blue would go to join the majority 
on the other side. 


Grand Army Parade Sept. 20th, 1892. 


Eighty Thousand Men Parade in an Event That will be Memor¬ 
able in History—Eight Hours Review by Vice-President 
Morton and Commander-in-Chief Palmer. 


Was there ever such a gathering of humanity before ? 

Do the annals of history tell us of any pageant fit to be compared with 
that which made Washington glorious. Eighty thousand veterans re¬ 
united after thirty years, marched over the old historic Pennsylvania avenue 
again. 

Well might hundreds of thousands have gathered to witness it, for never 
again will the nation’s Capital see so brave a sight. To the old it spoke of 
all that was glorious in the past; to the young it was ennobling and inspir¬ 
ing. 

The day was as perfect as though fashioned for the occasion. A good 






136 

breeze was stirring, and the sun, partially clouded, shone with a softened 
light through a hazy atmosphere. It was a great relief from the heat of the 
preceding day. Before 8 o’clock thousands had breakfasted and were 
wending their way toward Pennsylvania avenue and the Capitol, from the 
foot of which the great procession was to start All sorts and conditions of 
humanity were in the throng. Finely dressed ladies were jostled by roughly 
clad countrymen. The colored man and brother seemed omnipresent, and 
from the pickaninny to the patriarch he seemed bent on seeing the whole 
show. And for the most part he succeeded. 

The view from the dome was magnificent and gave one a far better idea 
of the immensity of the gathering than could be gathered by witnessing it 
on the streets as the men passed by. Up the avenue the men were march¬ 
ing by thousands, and every street of Capitol Hill was filled with the blue- 
coated veterans. Men in uniform were everywhere, divisions and brigades 
occupying streets in formations as far as the eye could reach, the only limit 
being the Eastern Branch of the Potomac. As fast as one division would 
fall into line another would come tramping from some side street to take its 
place ; and so the constant procession kept up, and the ever-shifting scene 
and movement of troops went on. Hundreds of men, who were all night 
getting into the city, showed their patriotism bv marching hurriedly to their 
division and falling in without having taken a mouthful of food. 

Casting the eye from the west in the direction of the Treasury, where 
the avenue was filled with the moving column and from which floated the 
sounds of patriotic airs from hundreds of bands that had gone before, and 
turning to the east the eye caught a vast, moving, human mass. The ter¬ 
races and steps of the grand old Capitol were rilled with people, and the 
plaza in front was a dense mass of human beings. Through it all was a 
single line through which the men marched, making their way down the 
hill around the north side of the building, circling Peace Monument, and up 
the avenue, where in 1865, they followed Meade and Sherman. 

In front of all rode the civic committees of one hundred handsomely 
mounted men, with white saddle cloths trimmed with red and blue, and 
wearing silk hats, Prince Albert suits and white gloves. They cleared the 
way for the Commander-in-Chief and his staff, composed of all the national 
officers of the G. A. R. Then, as escort for the Commander, came march¬ 
ing the Old Guard of Washington, their heads up, and with brisk step, as if 
fully conscious of the dignified part that had been assigned to them; followed 
by the Grand Army Battalion, of Albany, whose fine marching always 
brings them words of praise from Adjutant General Phisterer. The aids-de- 
camp of Gen. Palmer, who came near, made a fine appearance bestriding 
their steeds in soldierly fashion, and riding ten abreast. 

And who were those brave fellows with wide-brimmed white hats, car¬ 
rying canes, and proud of their position as escort to the Grand Army ? No 
less than a body of the old 6th Massachusetts, who, as their banner tells, 
were “first in the field,” the same banner having beneath the significant 
legend : “ Baltimore, 19th of April, 1861.” In front of these famous fellows 
rode Gen. Edward F. Jones, late Lieutenant-Governor of New York, He 
was colonel of the 6th, and has a good right to be at the head of his boys 
once more. He rode a fine sorrel horse, and with his long, flowing mus¬ 
tache, as white as snow, is a picturesque figure. Wherever the “ first de¬ 
fenders” were recognized, they were greeted with deafening cheers. That 
striking-looking body of white-helmeted men, carrying white and red ban¬ 
ners, with a square of crimson or white in the center, was the Union Vet¬ 
erans’ Signal Association, the men who did the telegraphing for the North¬ 
ern armies. 

And then came Illinois, proudest of them all, for it took precedence 
over every other department by virtue of seniority. Illinois gave birth to 


i37 


the G. A. R., and Rockford Post is the oldest in the Union, so the valorous 
Suckers are justly entitled to the right of the line. 

Bearing aloft the badger, the emblem of the Superior State, came the 
grizzled pioneers of Wisconsin, and riding among the department officers at 
the head of the column was Uncle Jerry Rusk, the soldier Secretary of Ag¬ 
riculture. Carrying the famous war eagle of the 8th Wisconsin, “Old Abe,” 
whose fame has passed into the history of the country, was a squad of scouts 
and Pottawatomie Indians. Two of these, Neobsho and John Young, are 
among the most prominent chiefs of their tribe, and as they marched along 
with blankets draped about their shoulders and eagle feathers in their hair, 
there were no more dignified or truly imposing personages in the whole 
parade. 

“Like an army with banners” was the splendid department of Pennsyl¬ 
vania—and it was an army both in proportions, equipment and general mili¬ 
tary bearing. Their whole imposing line was nearly two hours in passing a 
given point. 

There were thousands of Buckeye men in line. Ex-President Hayes 
marched on foot with his command from Ohio. They made a magnificent 
display with music and banners. 

The Empire State, which followed Ohio, covered itself with glory. 
From the time it left New Jersey avenue, where its column formed, until it 
broke ranks at Washington Circle, it received a continued ovation. A finer 
body of men never entered a parade, and among the delegation were some 
of the leading citizens of the great metropolis. 

It was a supreme test for the Department of Connecticut to follow the 
magnificent Department of New York, but the veterans of the Nutmeg 
State, each wearing a wooden nutmeg, did not suffer from the comparison. 

Of the 10,000 men from Massachusetts in line, Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, 
whose face is familiar in many States on the Eastern seaboard, was perhaps 
one of the most notable figures in line. He occupied a barouche, in which 
was also his family physician. 

The 10,000 men in the Massachusetts delegation were divided into two 
brigades, officered by Eli W. Hall, Senior Vice Department Commander. 

One could distinguish the New Jersey Post, who followed the long 
string of Massachusetts organizations, even before seeing their badges, by 
the various remarkable representations of the historic mosquito that is sup¬ 
posed to haunt its shores and infest its damp swamps and reedy rivers. Big 
golden insects, with long and ponderous bills, and little silver ones with 
jeweled eyes stared from the badges and caps. 

Comrades from the pine-clad, rock hills of Maine, had all adopted the 
pine cone as their insignia. A pine cone hung on every gray-haired vet¬ 
erans’ coat, and the badges were variously decorated with this central idea. 

“From Maine to California” is a common saying which expresses the 
vastness of the United States. Curiously enough, California followed 
Maine in the parade, and no State contributed a more gallant department. 
Fresh from the land of fruits and flowers, from where the mighty Pacific 
washes the shores of the continent; from the land of sunshine and beauty, 
they came to swell the ranks of the great army of veterans who marched so 
gallantly down the historic avenue. Some of them have grown gray since 
the memorable grand review of 1865; many of those who marched with 
them then have joined the ranks of the silent dead. 

Back again from the shores of the Pacific to the ground where the early 
settlers first built their log cabin homes, the Department of Rhode Island, 
next in seniority to California, then made its way. 

There were no handsomer men in line than those who composed the 
Department of New Hampshire. They certainly represented the heavy 
weights. In front of the procession was Governor Tuttle, occupying a car- 


riage with a portion of his staff. He was surrounded by eight Past Depart¬ 
ment Commanders of an average weight of 220 pounds. The “baby” of 
this escort was John Liniham, who weighs 186 pounds. The heaviest of the 
“big eight” weighs 275 pounds. It was a fitting escort, as the Governor 
weighs 280 pounds. This was a unique figure in the Department. Along 
the line the Governor was greeted with rounds of cheers. The Governor’s 
escort and the staff officers wore the regulation blue coats, white trousers 
and white belts. 

The Hprrick Drum Corps, of Chester, was a juvenile organization that 
added considerable to the Vermont display. It was composed of boys from 
nine to sixteen years of age, under the direction of Charles Herrick, and 
kept the feet of the veterans moving to the tune of all the old war marches 
that had cheered them in their march to the sea. The veterans were decor¬ 
ated with sprigs of cedar, and wore olive badges in their hats. 

The Department of Virginia followed that of Vermont. The head of 
the line was accorded to the Harrison Phoebus Post, of Norfolk, whose 
handsome blue and gold standard was the gift of Mrs. Phoebus, of that city, 
after whose husband the Post was named. The color-bearer, James Calla¬ 
ghan, was another man with a record, having been the personal color- 
bearer of Gen. Averell, and later the standard-bearer in Sheridan’s own 
troop. All of the Virginia Department bore the red, white and blue State 
badge, from the point of which dangled a small, gilded peanut. 

With a profusion of the well-known oriole colors came Maryland, com¬ 
manded by Department Commander Wallace A. Bartlett and staff, mount¬ 
ed, preceded by the celebrated Wilson Post Band of Baltimore. Behind 
the Department Commander and his staff, with a step as steady as on the 
day several decades ago when they marched down the self-same avenue, 
came the grim and grizzled veterans, comprising the Wilson Post Guards, 
who, notwithstanding age and years of former service, bear the distinction 
of having been first to tender their services to the Secretary of War, fully 
armed and equipped, and ready for immediate service during the recent 
Chilian difficulties. 

Wilson Post, of Baltimore, 300 strong, with their white helmets and 
tasty uniforms, which followed, drew rounds of applause for appearance 
and military precision. 

The Dushane Post, numbering nearly 400, headed by the Post band, 
came next in line. Following the Dushanes came innumerable Posts from 
every nook and corner of the State, all in regulation uniform, representing 
in almost every instance a full Post* Bands, drum, and bugle corps ac¬ 
companied nearly all the Posts, and the music furnished was well diversi¬ 
fied. Comrade George E. D. Decker, of Emery Post, No. 29, who lost the 
use of his limbs at Gettysburg, and, not wishing to be left behind and miss 
the pleasure of parading down the avenue with his comrades, donned his 
regimentals, and was wheeled along in his chair in front of his Post. 

In no division perhaps was there half the number of colored veterans 
that paraded down the avenue behind the black and yellow banners. They 
composed nearly a dozen Posts, each numbering from 40 to 200. With but 
a single exception a gaily uniformed band or drum corps, and in many in¬ 
stances both, accompanied each Post. The colored veterans were all 
neatly uniformed and marched with as martial a tread as that of their white 
comrades. They were enthusiastically cheered, especially by their own 
people. 

But a single battle-flag appeared in the Oriole State’s veterans. It was 
brought in line by the Dodge Post, and was presented in ’61 to the Purnell 
Legion, who carried it through the war. The pole, a few shreds of tattered 
and faded silk, and an inch or two of fringe was all that was left for the 
veterans to bring, but they handled it more tenderly yesterday and with 


I 39 


more pride than if it had been of the newest and best. Maryland’s veterans 
presented an appearance ot which all her citizens could be justly proud. 

Gen. J. F. Reynolds Post, No. 2, of Frederick, Md., had, in all proba¬ 
bility, the oldest man in the grand parade—Edward Burras, aged eighty- 
eight years, the color-bearer, was six feet five and a half inches in height, 
and weighed 273 pounds. Jacob Koogl, First Lieutenant Company G, 7th 
Regiment Maryland Volunteer Infantry, who was in the ranks, wore a 
badge voted to him by Congress for bravery in capturing a confederate 
battle-flag at the battle of Five Forks, Virginia, April 1, 1865. Ferdinand 
Schultz, sixty-eight years of age, survivor of the Mexican war was also in line. 

Department Commander Green, together with his staff, mounted, 
headed the Nebraska Department, which succeeded Maryland in line, and 
were followed by George A. Custer Post. Immediately behind them, and 
in front of the U. S. Grant Post, was a dignified looking gentleman, dressed 
in a neat-fitting regulation uniform, with a Loyal Legion button on his coat, 
and carrying a large-sized flag, who occasionally would be the recipient of 
a round of liberal cheers. It was Senator Paddock, of Nebraska. He said 
he didn’t intend marching at first, but when he saw “the boys” he had to 
get in line. 

Immediately in the rear of J. F. Reynolds Post, came Thonras H. 
Saunders, an old veteran, who left one limb behind him on a Southern bat¬ 
tle field. He kept up with his comrades, however, with the assistance of a 
pair of crutches. The detached men followed up the organized Posts, and 
being several hundred in number they were loudly cheered by the crowd, 
who thought that it was a grand turnout for one Post so many miles away. 
Considering the distance of 1,500 miles the veterans had to travel, the 
Prairie State was well represented, although there were but a few organized 
Posts in line. 

The Department of Michigan was headed by Detroit Post. No. 384, 
whose sixty members, dressed in Prince Albert coats, white ties, buff gloves 
and carrying canes, made a very pretty show. This was followed by the 
5th Regiment Band of Detroit, discoursing patriotic tunes, and next came 
the famous Fairbanks Post, No. 17, of 220 members, one of whom is Gen. 
Alger, and he marched with this Post, receiving a great amount of ap¬ 
plause as he passed. This Post was an escort to the Department Com- 
mander-in-Chief. The men wore white gloves and carried white-headed 
canes. While the department was waiting to take its place in line, they 
were presented with a fine lunch by their old comrade and commander, 
Gen. R. A. Alger. 

The Department of Iowa as it swung into line after Michigan, deserved 
and received its full share of applause and demonstration, on account of 
the distinctive and happy features displayed by the department and its fine 
appearance. The veterans marched with a swing and dash that were very 
noticeable, and it was hard to realize that nearly thirty years previous these 
same men, or some of them at least, walked the same street after having 
passed through one of the bloodiest conflicts of modern times. As a dis¬ 
tinctive feature of this department each veteran carried a cornstalk in lieu 
of a musket. The idea was very happy, presenting, as it did, the represen¬ 
tation of war and peace. Each one also carried an ear of corn attached to 
a ribbon, hanging on his left side, and also wore a fac simile of the same on 
his breast. One of the men carried a demijohn slung over his shoulders, 
and another a dead chicken, probably commemorative of some past forage 
parties. Looking down the avenue the department presented the appear¬ 
ance of a cornfield in motion, and it pleased the crowd immensely. 

While the department was waiting to form in the spot assigned to it 
the Department Commander, J. J. Steadman, was presented with a beautify 


140 

and valuable diamond badge by his staff, to which gift he responded in fit¬ 
ting terms. 

As the bronzed and sturdy Hoosier veterans of the Indiana division 
wheeled into Pennsylvania avenue at the Peace Monument, they were 
greeted by a hearty outburst of cheers &nd a chorus of “ Hurrah for Presi¬ 
dent Harrison’s State.” At the head of this division was a band of thirty 
pieces, composed of bright-looking boys in knickerbockers from the Indiana 
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home. The lads played remarkably well, 
and received ovation after ovation as they proceeded up the avenue. 

Carrying the division banner of blue at the front was a sturdy son of 
Indiana at least seven feet in height. Further along in the line and creat¬ 
ing great enthusiasm, was a red banner, carried by Capt. Wallace Foster, 
of Indianapolis, bearing the inscription, 


Teach Patriotism 
in THE 

Public Schools. 


The comrades from the President’s State made a fine appearance and 
marched well. Among them were some of the most expert and deadly 
sharpshooters in the old Army of the Potomac. 

A long line of drummers and fifers in bright scarlet zouave uniforms 
announced the approach of the division from far away Colorado, the land 
of the setting sun and golden prosperity. A little tot, in bright zouave uni¬ 
form, led a cute and comical-looking little burro in front of the division ; 
while a veteran in G. A. R. uniform followed just behind, leading a young 
buck antler 

When Kansas wheeled into line, following Colorado and Wyoming, 
sunflowers as large as a dinner plate were displayed on the left lapel of the 
coats of the comrades. Thirteen mounted men, comprising the Department 
Commander, staff and aids, headed the procession with a splendid band. 

Immediately following Kansas, Delaware turned into line 700 strong, 
under command of Department Commander George W. Stradley, and it 
appeared that each and every comrade felt that it was an honor to be one 
of “the Blue Hen’s Chickens.” In the Revolutionary war and at the battle 
of Camden, S. C., the Delaware boys showed up in such shape, both as to 
appearance and fighting qualifications, that Gen. Greene dubbed them “the 
Blue Hen’s Chickens,” saying they would wade through purgatory and pay 
' extra toll in order to fight. 

Soon after the return of the Delaware troops a paper was printed in 
Wilmington called the Blue Hen , and its editor, Francis Vincent, to use street 
talk, did not “ make any bones” in saying what he thought, and for a num¬ 
ber of years the Blue Hen flourished, as the boys who “ fought, bled and 
died ” felt that it was their duty to give it their aid. Ever since Revolu¬ 
tionary days the Posts at Wilmington have regarded the blue hen as a 
proper thing to carry upon their banner. In the parade a blue cock was 
carried, which had won a number of fights in mains between New York and 
Delaware. 

The Minnesota division did not march in Posts and had no distinctive 
post badges or flags. The whole department was in the regulation uniform, 
and presented a remarkably fine appearance. The drum corps wore blue 
coats, trousers and caps with white braid. Every member of the division 
wore the State badge of Minnesota, red copper, with the State seal on one 
side, and also a yellow silk badge with a figure of the historical “ Minnesota 
gopher” suspended. 





The Department of Missouri was headed by the famous company of 
veterans of Kansas City, Mo., who have joined the State militia as veteran 
Company A, 3d Infantry, and are commanded by Capt. Henry J. Taylor. 
The company bore a flag with the Stars and Stripes on one side and on the 
other the white banner of the State, containing the State seal, the two black 
bears rampant, and the State motto : “ Salus populi suprema lex esto," or 
“ Let the safety of the people be the supreme law.” It also bears the date 
of its presentation to the company in 1881, by Mrs. Warner, wife of Past 
Commander-in-Chief Warner, of the G. A. R. 


Other Departments. 

Oregon made a fair showing for a distant State. 

After the Department officers of Oregon had passed, the Department 
of Kentucky wheeled into the avenue. It was well represented, and no 
man of the Department had any reason not to be proud of the “corn 
cracker” badges with which he was decorated. 

Th£ Department of West Virginia, like several other of the Depart¬ 
ments, had chosen as its insignia, the golden rod, and carried its canes “at 
right shoulder,” tipped with nodding bushes of yellow bloom. Another 
badge that the Department bore in common with some of its fellows was the 
small nickled canteen, with the monogram G. A. R. in a copper medallion 
on the side. The canteens all had corks, but whether or not these served 
to keep anything from spilling out, was not publicly stated. 

The Departments of Dakota were numbered by five representatives. 

“There goes the whole of the Department of Alaska, and the biggest 
man of the Washington G. A. R.,” said a spectator as Commander J. S. 
Brown marched past. 

The Naval Veterans made a creditable showing well worthy the Brave 
Boys of Arkansas. Sixty were represented in the parade, one of these being 
a colored Post, of which there are sixteen in the State. At the head of this 
division was Gen. Powell Clayton, brother of John Clayton, whose name 
figures in one of the bloodiest chapters of Arkansas history. 

The Department of New Mexico in particular had bad luck. Although 
there were fifteen comrades from this Department present at the encamp¬ 
ment, their commander, Senator Dorsey, failed to show up, and the boys 
got badly scattered. As a result, Capt. Jack Crawford was the sole repre¬ 
sentative of New Mexico in line. 

The Department of Utah was evidently “lost in the scuffle,” or was not 
visible in the semi-darkness which fell before the parade was finished. 

“The Loyal Tennesseeans Are Here,” was the legend on a large ban¬ 
ner in front of the Department of Tennessee. 

Departments of Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Montana, Texas, Idaho, 
Arizona, Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma, Indian Territory, Potomac Depart¬ 
ment Naval Veterans. 

The Department last in the line suffered considerably from desertions 
during the long wait they were compelled to endure, and accordingly were 
unable to do themselves justice. Aside from this, small Departments 
looked well. 

The Department of the Potomac made a fine appearance and marched 
well. 

On September 19th, the old White Lot was christened the “Grand 
Army Place,” with all the glorious “pomp and circumstances” worthy so 
great an occasion and will evermore bear that name. In the early fore¬ 
noon thousands upon thousands of spectators lined both sides of Pennsyl¬ 
vania avenue to watch the parade march up that historic thoroughfare en 



142 


route to the re-union grounds to be dedicated to the heroes. The parade itself 
was an imposing spectacle. There were five brigades consisting of Regu¬ 
lars and other representative organizations of the city. 

All the regiments, divisions and corps in attendance at the Encamp¬ 
ment held re-unions at the Grand Army Place on Wednesday. The re¬ 
union of the 5th Maryland Regiment was held in the tent of the 3d Brigade, 
3d Divison, at 9 o’clock, Major Henry C. Graham presiding. Comrade C. 
A. Foster was appointed Secretary pro tern. After transaction of the usual 
business, the following officers were elected: Capt., Samuel Ford; Vice- 
Presidents, for Co. A., Col. Jesse West; Co. B, Salome Marsh; Co. C. J. 
Mangold; Co. D, James Brown ; Co. E, Henry Graham; Co. F, Joseph 
Sweet; Co. G, Philip Lenderking; Co. H, Joseph Mills ; Co. I, George R. 
Graham; Co. K, no election; Secretary and Treasurer, Chas. A. Foster, 
A formal motion to hold a re-union on some battle-field was -rescinded. 
The Board of Officers, President and Vice-President, Secretary and Treas¬ 
urer constitute the Executive Board. 


Report of Geo- W. King, Delegate to the 26th National En¬ 
campment of the Gr- A. R-, at Washington, D- C. 

[Before the 13TH Annual Encampment of the Department 
of Delaware.] 

Wilmington, Del., Feb. 8, 1893. 

To the Commander , Officers and Comrades of the Department of Delaware, G. 

A. R., Assembled at Wilmington, Del.: 

I respectfully submit the following as my report to you as a delegate 
from this Department to the National Encampment of the Grand Army of 
the Republic, held in the city of Washington, D. C., September 22d, 1892: 

The several Posts of this city, Nos. 1, 2, 4, 13 and 23 assembled at their 
headquarters on the afternoon of the 19th-of September, 1892, and marched 
to Tenth and Market streets, where they were joined by comrades from 
Posts Nos. 5, 8 and 9, and of Posts from different points of the State, in all 
numbering about five hundred men in uniform, each Post having its colors 
and banners with them. Here they formed in line, with Hyatt's Military 
Band at the head, with Department Commander George W. Stradley in 
command. 

They marched out Eleventh street to Delaware avenue, thence to the 
B. & O. railroad depot, where a special train of eleven cars was side-tracked 
waiting to receive them. The train was soon filled up with the comrades 
and their families and friends. Everything that could be done for their 
comfort and pleasure was done by the officials of the road. There had 
been provided first-class cars, one of the best engines on the road, and care¬ 
ful and efficient employes were in charge of the train. 

When they arrived in Washington they were received by a delegation 
of the Washington committee on arrangements, and escorted to their head¬ 
quarters at the Addison school house, at Georgetown, where they were joy¬ 
fully received by a number of comrades of their Department, belonging to 
different Posts throughout Delaware, who had arrived before them. Being 
tired out and knowing that they would have to prepare for the grand parade 
the next day, they turned in for the night, to get what rest they could. 

On the morning of the 20th day of September there occurred the most 
glorious event that takes place in the United States in the course of a year 
—the Grand Army parade. It was conceded to be the largest parade the 
Order has ever had. There were fully 80,000 uniformed and equipped com- 



143 

rades in line, stepping to the lively tunes of patriotic airs, with flags and 
banners floating in the breeze. 

As the veterans marched up Pennsylvania avenue, they recalled with 
pride the dark days between ’61 and ’65. The great difference between the 
two periods of time was illustrated in many ways, but most especially in 
the difference in th,e ages of the comrades of those two periods. Then, the 
men were young or in the full vigor of manhood, now, these same men are 
either past their prime of life or are old men. 

The Department of Delaware was the twenty-third division in line and 
made a fine appearance. Fully one-half of the order of this Department 
participated in the parade. They were repeatedly applauded, not only for 
their numbers, but for their soldierly appearance and fine marching. 

The parade was nine hours in passing a given point, and was reviewed 
by the Commander-in-Chief Palmer and by the Vice-President of the United 
States, Levi P. Morton. In the line of march there were three hundred 
brass bands and nearly as many drum corps. 

On Wednesday morning, September 21st, the National Encampment 
convened for the transaction of business. 

The Department of Delaware was entitled to sixteen votes; fifteen com¬ 
rades reported for duty. 

The following statistics were taken from the Adjutant-General’s report 
of the 26th encampment: In the United States there are 45 encampments, 
containing 7797 Posts, with a membership of 407,781 comrades in good 
standing; 25,000 comrades on suspension list. By delinquent reports, 13,- 
500 comrades were not accounted for. 

Some of the Departments had not yet reported in full to the Adjutant 
General, who claimed a gain for the year of 1,200. Deaths officially re¬ 
ported for the year past, 6,404, an increase of 1,439 more than the previous 
year. 

The Inspector General’s report showed the number of Posts to be 7,644; 
membership in good standing, 409,44.6, Expended for charity $320,448.06 
during the year ending July 1, 1892. 

The Quartermaster General’s report showed the following figures : 


Balance on hand, ..... $ 7,548.79 

Due by the Departments,. 1,188.63 

U. S. Government Bonds, market value ........... 18,280.00 

Supplies,.... 2,135.93 


Total assets, . ..... $29,153.35 


It was unanimously decided to hold the next National Encampment at 
Indianapolis, Ind. 

The following resolutions were unanimously adopted: 

Resolved , That no person shall be entitled to wear the badge or button 
of the G. A. R. unless he be a member in good standing of the Grand Army 

of the Republic. . 

Resolved ,, That we cordially endorse the order of the Commander-m- 
Chief, forbidding any post of the G. A. R. to march-under what was known 
as the Confederate flag. 

On a resolution that Congress be asked to enact a law requiring the 
national flag to be displayed from all public buildings, the committee recom¬ 
mended the adoption of the following resolution, which was unanimously 
adopted : 

Resolved , That the law in regard to the display of the national colors 
should be strictly enforced and cheerfully complied with. 

The committee also presented the following and recommended its adop¬ 
tion, which was concurred in. 








I 

144 

Whereas, At Fort Sumpter, the property of the Government, there is 
no flag staff; therefore, 

Resolved , That this encampment respectfully asks the honorable Secre¬ 
tary of War to provide a staff and cause the flag to be displayed thereon at 
such times as the flags upon other forts and camps of the Nation are raised. 

Several Departments joined in asking for a return' to the system of 
quarterly reports, which was voted down. 

The question to debarr Past Commanders as members of the National 
Encampment was brought up, discussed and voted down. 

Some few changes were made in the Rules and Regulations. 

Election of Officers. 

The following officers were duly elected and installed: 

Commander-in-Chief, A. G. Weissert, Wis. 

Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, R. H. Warfield, Cal. 

Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, P. B. Ayars, Del. 

Surgeon General, Wm. C. Wile, Conn. 

Chaplain-in-Chief, D. R. Lowell, Kansas. 

N. C. of A., M. B Fowler, Del. 

The election of P. B. Ayars marks the first time in the history of the 
Department of Delaware, that one of its comrades was elected to fill one of 
the five high elective positions in the Order. 




145 



Wm. H. Tucker, National Commander, U. V. L. 

National Commander of Union Yeteran Legion, U. S. A, 

William H. Tucker was born in Willamatic, Connecticut, and at the 
age of eighteen, enlisted at La Crosse, Wis., as a private in Company D, 
Fourteenth Wisconsin, on December n, 1861. He served in the ensuing 
four years in the Western armies, and was in nearly every battle of import¬ 
ance fought in the Southwest during that period. He was discharged with 
the rank of sergeant on October 9, 1865. There are few men living to-day 
who can point to such a list of hard-fought battles as Shiloh, Iuka, Corinth. 
Cold Water, Vicksburg, Fort De Russey, Pleasant Hill Landing, Camargo 
Cross-roads, Cloutierville, Cane River, Marksville, Yellow Bayou, Tupelo, 
Nashville Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely and Mobile, but such is his, and 
hrough them all he did not receive a wound. He is also a son of a vet- 


* 










146 


eran, his father serving throughout the war in the Thirty-seventh Wisconsin 
Regiment. Mr. Tucker was married and removed to Indianapolis shortly 
after the close of the rebellion, and is the senior member of the firm of 
Tucker & Dorsey, large manufacturers of wooden ware. Mr. Tucker is 
one of the most energetic and public-spirited citizens of Indianapolis. He 
served several terms in both branches of the Indiana municipal legislature. 
He was a charter member of the George H. Thomas Post, G. A. R.; was the 
organizer of the encampment of the Union Veteran Legion and is a member 
of Fremont Camp Sons of Veterans, of Indianapolis. 



Sixth Annual Encampment of the Union Yeteran Legion. 

The Sixth Annual Encampment of the Union Veteran Legion was held 
in Reading, Pa., on October 14, 1891. The city was handsomely decorated 
in honor of the veterans. 

The National staff of officers were all in attendance, and had their 
headquarters in the parlors of the Hotel Penn, which was decorated with 
the colors of the National Encampment. Commander Miller and others re¬ 
ceived callers at their quarters, from the delegations from all parts of the 
country. The veterans included many professional men, lawyers, physici¬ 
ans, and were a fine-looking body of men. 

The parade in the forenoon was a very fine affair. The veterans made 
a splendid appearance and were highly complimented. The line formed 
in Penn square at 10.30 a. m. and moved ^t 11.10 sharp over the route. 
Capt. Aaron Zeigler was chief marshal, and his staff of aid was as follows : 

W. K. Leaman, Henry Beckhart, H. R. Anthony, Joseph F. Rodgers, 
H. Dersh, N. Glase, Thomas Watt, J. P. Dauth, James L. Mast, Charles 
Barlett, Wilson Else, Samuel Davis, James McLoud. 

There were a number of carriages in line, in which were the national 
officers and guests of the encampment. 

The parade formed on Penn square, and the movements of the differ¬ 
ent delegations were viewed with interest by large crowds on balconies and 
on the streets. The column moved over the route as announced, and Penn 
street was crowded from Fourth to Tenth. The veterans in line were those 
who saw three years of hard service, and many were wounded and dis¬ 
abled. One of the stands of colors bore the telling inscription, “ We served 
three years,” 

The following was the order of the parade: 

Chief Marshal, Capt. Aaron Ziegler, and mounted staff of aids. 

FIRST DIVISION. 

Mutual Military Band, 12 men, Philadelphia. 

Philadelphia, No. 2, Col. Z. P. Boyer, 250 men. 





147 


Pittsburgh, No. i, Col. J. M. Ray, ioo men. 

Bloomsburg, No. 32. Col. Lewis Cohen, 25 men. 

Iroquois Band, Lancaster, 12 men. 

Lancaster, No. 14, Col. M. N. Stark, 50 men. 

Altoona, No. 17, Col. John Dowling, 25 men. 

Citizens’ Band, Allentown, 24 men. 

Allentown, No. 18, Col. Amos Weiss, 40 men. 

Liberty Band, of Pottsville. 

Pottsville, No. 19, Col. Jacob Britton, 100 men. 

SECOND DIVISION. 

Frankenfield’s West Philadelphia Band. 

Philadelphia No. 20, Col. John S. French, 200 men. 

Big Six Drum Corps. 

Williamsport, No.—, Col. J. S. Smith and E. S. Watson, 50 men. 
National Band of Pottstown, 28 men. 

Pottstown, No. 22, Col. W. P. Bach, 50 men. 

Wilmington, No. 34, Col. H. A. Sheetz, 50 men. 

THIRD DIVISION. 

The Volunteer Band. 

Philadelphia, No. 73, Col. James Thompson, 100 men. 

Washington, No. 69, 20 men, Col. John D. Brady. 

Harrisburg, 30 men. 

J. R. Kenney Drum Corps. 

West Philadelphia, No. 76, Col. Franks, 50 men. 

Manayunk, Phila., No. 63, Col. Harry O. Klock, 75 men. 

Norristown, No. 96, Col. W. A. Skeen, 20 men. 

Chester, No. 40, Col. George Booth, 15 men. 

York, No. 65, Lieutenant-Colonel E. Shroeder, 25 men. 

Camden, N. J., No. 87, Col. John R. Grubb, 20 men. 

Brooklyn, No. 70, Col. Joseph L. Palmer, Lieut. Charles Collis, etc., 7 
men. 

New York. No. 38, Col. Joseph A. Joel, 10 men. 

Ringgold Band. 

Reading, No. 43, Col. Wm. Dougherty, Lieut. Col. James L. Mast, 150 
men. 

The were over 1,200 men in the parade, and many delegates were not 
in line. 


AFTERNOON SESSION. 

The convention of the Legion convened in the Grand Opera House, at 
2 p. m., with a good attendance, a large majority of the encampments being 
present. National Commander Miller called the meeting to order, after 
which a fervent prayer was offered. The reports of the National officers 
were received in order and accepted. 

Mayor Merritt appeared and was introduced. He made a short speech 
welcoming the Union Veteran Legion to the city. National Commander 
Miller responded briefly. 

The report of Adjutant General E. Caldwell was very favorable. The 
report shows that 26 new encampments were instituted during the past year. 
The orders had 103 encampments on the roster that year, distributed 
through 18 States as follows: Pennsylvania, 50; Ohio, 17 ; New York, 5 ; 
Illinois, 4; Iowa, Massachusetts, Missouri, Indianaand New Jersey, 3 each ; 
Wisconsin, 2; Kansas, Delaware, California, Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, 
West Virginia, District of Columbia, 1 each. 

A large gain was reported in the membership. The total membership 


148 


now is 9,373, a d ear g a in of 3,547. The Quartermaster General’s report 
showed the financial condition of the order to be excellent, with a good bal. 
ance on hand. . 

The second day’s session of the Union Veteran Legion opened in the 
Grand Opera House at 9 a. m. sharp, when Commander Miller called the 
meeting to order. About 200 delegates and many alternates were in attend¬ 
ance. 

Indianapolis was selected as the place of meeting the next year. New 
York was also named, but was withdrawn in favor of Indianapolis. Cin¬ 
cinnati also invited the veterans to meet there. The invitation from Indi¬ 
anapolis included a welcome from Governor Hovey, the Board of Trade, 
General Thomas Post, G, A. R., and other organizations. 

The Camp Fire in the evening was a magnificent entertainment con¬ 
sisting of brilliant, witty and humorous speeches, vocal and instrumental 
music. The famous Ringgold band brought out a thunderous applause, 
also the Keystone Vocalists when they sang “ We’ve Drunk from the Same 
Canteen.” 


t 

We’ve Drunk from the Same Canteen. 

By Miles O’Reilly. 

There are bonds of all sorts in this world of ours, 
Fetters of friendship and ties of flowers, 

And true lovers’ knots, I ween. 

The boys and girls are bound by a kiss, 

But there’s never a bond, old friend, like this :• 

We have drunk from the same canteen. 

CHORUS. 

The same canteen, my soldier friend, 

The same canteen, 

There’s never a bond like this : 

We have drunk from the same canteen. 

It was sometimes water and sometimes milk, 
Sometimes applejack; fine as silk ; 

But whatever the tipple has been, 

We shared it together in bane or in bliss, 

And I warm to you, friend, when I think of this : 

We have drunk from the same canteen. 

We’ve shared our blankets and tents together, 

And marched and fought, m all kinds of weather ; 

And hungry and full we’ve been ; 

Had days of battle and days of rest, 

But this memory I cling to and love the best: 

We have drunk from the same canteen. 

For when wounded I lay on the outer slope, 

With my blood flowing fast, and but little hope 
On which my faint spirit might lean ; 

O ! then I remember yon crawled to my side, 

And bleeding so fast, it seemed both must have died, 
We have drunk from the same canteen. 


National Past Commander Joseph E. Palmer, Jr., was born in the city 
of New York in 1844, but has been a resident of Brooklyn since 1849. At 
an early age he proved to be an apt pupil in military science, as in his nth 
year, after having acquired the rudiments of a good English education under 
home tuition, he was Second Lieutenant of the Cadet Corps in the Scientific 
and Military Institute at Danbury, Conn. He graduated irom a collegiate 




i49 



Joseph E. Palmer, Jr., National Past Commander of the Union 

Veteran Legion. 

course in 1859 with high honors. At the outbreak of the war, he drilled the 
first body of volunteers enlisted in the Eastern District of Brooklyn, where 
he then resided, and afterwards himself enlisted as a private in the 158th N. 
Y. Upon the arrival of his regiment on the Virginia side of the Potomac, 
he was warranted a Sergeant of Co. G, and appointed Right General Guide. 
Three months later he was appointed Sergeant-Major, and thence rapidly 
to the grades of Second Lieutenant and First Lieutenant. In these he 
served in the several capacities of Acting Regimental Quartermaster, Acting 
Regimental Adjutant, Post Adjutant, Commandant of Co. C, Acting Com¬ 
missary of Subsistence, Provost Marshal, and*as member of examining 
board for promotion of officers and enlisted men. Upon the first vacancy 
he was promoted Adjutant; for some time previous to which, and continu¬ 
ously thereafter, he rendered excellent service as Aide-de-Camp and Assist¬ 
ant Adjutant-General upon brigade and division staff. His latest duty was 
upon the staff of Maj.-Gen. Roberts. Foster, commanding First Division, 
Twenty-fourth Corps. Twice promoted on the field and twice brevetted for 
gallant and meritorious conduct in the Virginia campaigns, he retired, after 
three years of active field service, in July, 1865, with the rank of Major of 
U. S. Volunteers. 


John T. Brady, the subject of our brief sketch, served in the late war 
from 1861 to 1864, with honor to himself and State. He was working as an 
apprentice on the Philadelphia Ledger when the war began, and enlisted in 
Col. Baker’s First California Regiment in June, 1861, and lost his left leg at 
Cold Harbor, Va., May 31, 1864, and was mustered out December 5, 1864, 
having served three years and five months in one enlistment. He organ¬ 
ized Post 5, G. A, R. of Philadelphia, and filled the positions of Adjutant, 
Senior Vice and Commander, and also organized Encampment 69, Union 
Veteran Legion, on June 6, 1890, and is the Past Colonel of the same. At 




♦ 


I 5° 



John T. Brady, Past Junior Vice Commander U. V. L. 

the sixth National Encampment at Reading, Pa., in 1891, he was elected 
Junior Vice National Commander without any solicitation on his part, and 
during 1892 organized a new Encampment in Baltimore and Washington. 
Mr. Brady is an attorney by profession, being a member of the bar in the 
States of Ohio and Indiana. He is an active member of the Maimed 
Soldiers’ League, and during the past four years has devoted a great deal 
of time advocating measures before Congress for the benefit of his maimed 
comrades, and is always ready to lend a helping hand to a comrade in need; 
* has filled several honorable positions, both State and National, and is now 
an examiner in the Pension Bureau. 

1 


Thomas C. McKean was born in Baltimore, Maryland, July 31, 1844. 
Entered the military service of the Government in April, 1861, as a musi¬ 
cian in Co. I, 20th Penna. Vol. (Scott Legion of Philadelphia), and was 
mustered out as a private (having “ swopped” his drum for a musket) in 
August 1861. In the latter part of that month he enlisted as a private in 
Co. H., 31st (afterwards 82d) Penna. Vol. He was commissioned 2d Lieu¬ 
tenant in March, 1863; 1 st Lieutenant in May, 1863, in September, 1884, 
Captain and A. D. C., U. S. A. Vols., and was mustered out of the United 
States service in July, 1865, with a brevet rank. He was twice wounded 
and is not a pensioner. Mr. McKean was A. D. C. onStaffofCommander-in- 
Chief G. A. R. for 12 consecutive years, and Commander of his post for 
four consecutive years. He was mustered into Encampment No. 70, U. V. 
L., June, 1890, and immediately appointed Adjutant, holding that position 
until appointed Adjutant General in October, 1891, although in October, 
1890, was appointed Chief Mustering Officer, U. V. L., serving in National 
capacity until October, 1891, in addition to his duties as Adjutant. 



*5i 





Thomas C. McKean, Past Adjutant General, Union Veteran 
Legion, U. S. A. 

Appointed October 1891 at Reading-, Pa., by National Commander, 
Joseph E. Palmer, Jr. 


Seventh Annual Encampment of the Union Veteran Legion. 

The Seventh Annual Encampment of the Union Veteran Legion was 
held in Indianapolis, Wednesday and Thursday, October 12th and 13th, 
1892. 

It was a notable gathering of men that wear the bronze shield, and 
when the national standard of the Union Veteran Legion was flung to the 
breeze and borne proudly to Tomlinson Hall, it lent inspiration to the 
doings of the national encampment. The banner is of blue silk, and bears 
the insignia of the organization, a cross of the Legion of Honor, with the 
letters “U. V. L.” about it. It bears the date of March 7, 1884, which was 
the day the organization was formed. This banner was in front of the pro¬ 
cession of delegates that responded to the assembly call at the Denison 
House Wednesday morning, and, headed by the drum corps of No. 80, 
of Indianapolis, moved to the hall where the national encampment was 
held. G. C. James, of Cincinnati, who was the color-bearer of Commander 
Palmer’s staff, carried it. Following it came 300 men of soldierly bearing, 
headed by Commander Palmer, Adjutant McKean, Quartermaster Blair 
and Junior Commander Brady, who entered the hall shortly before 10 
o’clock. Besides the half dozen sentries on guard with bayonets, there were 
not three others in the hall, and to gain access to the delegate seats each 
delegate had to give the countersign in a whisper to the guard. This stern 
regulation was enforced from the national commander down to the last dele¬ 
gate. 





*$ 2 


The stage was draped with flags and banners, and decorated with palms 
and cedar trees, and in the centre was a tent with drawn curtains. On this 
stage was seated the officers, and the reporters, who were to sit there until 
they were asked to retire. 

The following resolution was adopted toward the close of the session : 

Whereas, The beloved wife of our honored President, Benjamin Har¬ 
rison, has been for a long period, and still is suffering from a serious and 
painful illness, which she has so far borne with unequalled patience and forti¬ 
tude ; therefore, be it 

“ Resolved , That we, the comrades of the Union Veteran Legion of the 
United States, do hereby unanimously and sincerely extend our heartfelt 
sympathy to our highly esteemed comrade, the President of the United 
States, for this great affliction with which he has been visited. At the same 
time we fondly cherish the hope that ere long this loyal woman may, through 
the blessings of Divine Providence, be fully restored to health, strength and 
usefulness.” 

The encampment afterward adjourned until 9 A. M if the 13th, on ac¬ 
count of parade. 


The Parade of the Veterans. 

The parade of the veterans on Wednesday afternoon, October 12th, was 
a pleasant and noteworthy feature of the encampment. The line moved at 
3.30 o’clock, and its progress was figuratively punctuated by the minute 
guns, which the German Veteran Association of the city fired in the court 
house yard. 

As the parade passed along it was seen to contain many veterans whose 
halting steps, or empty sleeves, or scarred faces, told with pathos beyond 
words the story of wounds, and exposure, and deadly peril. 

Encampment 80 of Indianapolis, 82 of Dayton, Ohio, and 41 of Cincin¬ 
nati, Ohio, made a fine showing. In No. 41, Sergeant Clifford Grapes, a boy 
of 10 years, and May Penn, a girl of 12 years, marched at the head of the 
encampment, the son and daughter of the regiment. May Penn was the 
bugler, and she drew forth a great deal of applause. 

Gen. Raum, as well as Gen. Foster and other noted Generals, were in 
line of march. Comrade Foster, of Delaware, carried the Encampment 
flag of No. 23 for Gen. Raum, and Comrade Ripley of No. hi, of Washing¬ 
ton, D. C., carried his own. Wm. L. Schley of 109 marched beside the 
General. 

Some of the Encampments carried small American flags. The whole 
line presented a good appearance. 

The column moved from the intersection of Pennsylvania and Ohio 
streets, west on Ohio, to Mississippi, south to Washington, east to New 
Jersey, countermarched on Washington to Pennsylvania, and north on 
Pennsylvania to the starting point, where it dispersed. 


Camp Fire and Council. 

A camp fire and council was held in Tomlinson Hall on Wednesday 
evening, for which the following program had been prepared : Invocation, 
Rev. D. R. Lucas; Music, “Hail Banner of the Free,” Chorus; Address 
of Welcome, Mayor Thomas L. Sullivan ; Address, Welcome, Gov. Ira J. 
Chase; Response by National Commander Jos. E. Palmer; Solo, “Old 
Glory,” Mrs. Zelda S. Wallace; Recitation, “Sheridan’s Ride,” Will C. 
David; Star Spangled Banner, Mrs. Danforth Brown and Chorus ; Recita- 




*53 


tion ; Solo, patriotic song, selected, Mrs, Smith Graves ; Address, Corporal 
Tanner ; Music, army songs, by Chorus ; “America,” Chorus and audience. 

The welcome address of Mayor Sullivan on behalf of the city contained 
sentiments of loyalty and respect for the veterans that were warmly ap¬ 
plauded, and when he said that he did not believe that the money spent by 
the State in the construction of the Soldiers’ Monument could have been 
better applied, Comrade Halpine, of Worcester, Mass., a cousin of Charles 
C. Halpine, the famous “ Miles O’Reilly” of war days, led the break to a 
wild burst of applause. Governor Chase, who followed Mayor Sullivan, and 
extended a welcome on behalf of the State, was given an ovation. He said 
at the start that he knew that the comrades in attendance on the Veteran 
Legion were not a set of “ dirty, lousy beggars, and perjured every time they 
drew their pensions.” He said the people of the State were hospitable, and 
that next year when the G. A. R. came the gates of the State would be off 
their hinges, and the doors of the houses of Indianapolis would be down. 
“ There will be no latch-strings,” said he, “for there will be no doors.” 

Commander Palmer responded on behalf of the Legion. In his address 
he spoke of his auditors as “fellow citizens,” which frequently caused inter¬ 
ruption from a man wearing several badges, who demanded the term “com¬ 
rades.” The Commander returned the warmest thanks of the Legion for 
the hospitality shown. The campfire speaking ended with speeches by Cor¬ 
poral Tanner and General Raum. 


Corporal Tanner’s Speech. 

“In these latter days, twenty-five years since the guns ceased to thunder, 
the idea has somewhat become prevalent that the war was a pic-nic; that 
you endured no hardships on the field of battle. That was the idea that the 
Secretary of State, and he was from my own State, too, held at the begin¬ 
ning of the struggle; but you, my comrades, who .stood on the lonely 
picket guard and who soaked the soil of this Union with your blood, know 
that it was far from being a pic-nic, and that from the very jaws of hell 
we brought back to the people of the North the unsullied flag of the Union 
and gave to them the proud heritage of a citizenship in the United States. 

We ask you to remember the power, the prosperity, the honor and the 
dignity of the United States, which we brought back to you on the points of 
our bayonets. And we ask you to remember that what you enjoy to-day as 
the citizens of a glorious Union, you owe to my comrades, whose unworthy 
spokesman I am.” 

He paid a fine compliment to Indiana and Gov. Morton. Mr. Tanner 
said he had engaged his rooms for the National Encampment of the G. A. 
R. in ’93. 

The veterans marched from the hotel to the convention hall on Thurs¬ 
day morning. There was no music save the bugle of Mary Penn, the 
daughter of Cincinnati’s “41,” who led them into the hall to the tune of 
“ Marching Through Georgia ; every one in line singing the chorus. It was 
followed by several other patriotic songs, and then Commander Palmer 
called the meeting to order. The world was excluded. Guards with rifles 
and brightly polished bayonets strode in front of every door, and no one 
was allowed to enter without giving the password. This sentry line was 
stationed and relieved at intervals with military precision, and was in com¬ 
mand of a duly appointed officer of the guard. 

Reports were read, discussed and passed upon. This was followed by 
the nomination of officers for the ensuing year. An invitation to attend a 
reception given by the Loyal Legion of Indianapolis was accepted. 



154 


At the afternoon session the following officers were elected : National 
Commander, Col. Wm. H. Tucker, Indianapolis, Ind.; Senior Vice-Com¬ 
mander, Col. James Beggs, Cincinnati, O.; Junior Vice-Commander, Maj. 
H. K. Sloane, Indiana, Pa.; Quartermaster-general, Frank L. Blair, Pitts¬ 
burg, Pa,; Chaplain-in-Chief, John A. Danks, Pittsburg; Surgeon-general, 
W. S. Norcross, Lewiston, Me.; Inspector-general, Carter M. Riggs. 

Executive Committee—Charles A. Foster, Wilmington, Del.; M. M. 
Murphy, Mount Vernon, O.; J. A. Joel, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Hugh Morrison, 
Alleghany City, Pa.; and J. M. Paver, Indianapolis. 

Committee on ritual made their report on revision, which was adopted 
almost wholly as recommended, shortening the muster. At the evening ses¬ 
sion it was decided to hold the next encampment at Cincinnati. 

The officers were installed by the Commander, who had just stepped 
down and out. It was a pretty ceremony. The stage with its military decor¬ 
ations, on which were the officers with their semi-martial costumes, the row 
after row of veterans seated in front, and the impressive silence which fell, 
all added to it. Each candidate advanced to the front of the stage and, 
grasping in his right hand a fold of the grand old star-spangled banner, he 
swore to attend to the duties of his office and the welfare of the Legion to the 
best of his knowledge and ability. 

The encampment was closed with speeches by the newly-elected com¬ 
mander, Col. Tucker, and by General Palmer. 

The delegates of the Union were banquetted at the completion of the 
Legion’s business in Tomlinson Hall. The evening was spent in informal 
sociability. The veterans returned to their homes on the following day. 



Hon. James Tanner. 

Biography of the Hon. James Tanner. 

One of the conspicuous figures in public life in Washington, be it political, 
social or otherwise, is that of “Corporal Tanner.” The Hon. James Tanner, 
Attorney and Counsellor-at-Law, Loan and Trust Building, is the simple 
business nomenclature of the ex-soldier whose name is now an household 
word throughout the country, and who is further known in foreign lands, 



I 55 


far and wide, as a man, a citizen, a volunteer, who rose to such political 
prominence as to awaken the echoes of partisan and party contention that 
disturbed the inner circles and the very stability of the administration of the 
Government. 

A farmer’s son, born in Schoharie County, N. Y., enlisting in the army 
at the early age of seventeen, in the Eighty-seventh New York, and never 
reaching a higher rank than that bestowed upon the great French Emperor, 
“La Petite Corporal,” he served through McClellan’s campaigns and under 
gallant Phil. Kearny down to the great disaster at Second Bull Run, when 
he lost both feet, or suffered a wound which rendered necessary the ampu¬ 
tation of both legs just below the knee joints ; but, with artificial limbs, he 
walks as erect and soldierly as a citizen as he ever did with a knapsack on 
his back, or while in command of a corporal’s squad. 

In politics afterward he became a leader and a most effectual pleader 
in behalf of his comrades. Before the New York Legislature, as well as on 
the stump, from California to the East and to the Middle States, no man 
more eloquently set forth the cause of the disabled volunteers. His 
most creditable achievement was an effort that resulted in the establishment 
of the Soldiers’ Home at Bath, Steuben county, New York. 

When President Harrison came into office he was nominated and con¬ 
firmed to be Commissioner of Pensions, the only enlisted man or ex-soldier, 
less in rank than a commissioned officer, who ever held that office. His 
one fault, if such it may be called, was his too free construction of the Pen¬ 
sion laws in behalf of pension claimants. Hence it came about that he was 
displaced ; and hence it followed that he established himself in the Claim 
and Pension Agency business in Washington. 

Corporal Tanner has served twice as Department Commander of the 
G. A. R. of the State of New York, is a member of Encampment No. 69, 
U. V. L., of Washington, D. C., and was a delegate from that Encampment 
to the National Encampment at Indianapolis, in October, 1892, at which he 
made several stirring speeches in the defense of some of the members who 
had had charges brought against them, but which were not sustained by the 
Encampment. He is the Judge Advocate General of the National G. A. R. 


Past National Commanders. 

A. B. Hay, Encampment No. 1, Pittsburg, Pa. 

Geo. B. Chalmers, Encampment No. 1, Pittsburg, Pa. 

A. L, Pearson, Encampment No. 1, Pittsburg, Pa. 

J. S. Read, M. D., Encampment No. 15, St. Louis, Mo. 
G. J. R. Miller, Encampment No. 2, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Jos E. Palmer, Encampment No, 70, Brooklyn, N. Y. 


Col. John P. Donahoe has for the third time represented Encampment 
No. 34, U. V. L , in the National Encampments, at Ft. Wayne, Reading and 
Indianapolis. He is one of the charter members of Encampment 34, and 
has always taken an active part in the work of the Encampment. He is 
also a member of Phil. Sheridan Post, No. 23, G. A. R., a true and tried 
comrade. In various ways he has proved himself a friend to the old soldiers, 
and has materially aided them in legislation for their own interest. 

From his youth he lived on the banks of the Brandywine, a suburb of 
Wilmington. At 11 years of age he worked for Chas. Phillips at the old 
Franklin cotton factory, at Ninth and Walnut streets. At I4> he was ap¬ 
prenticed to the trade of coopering, and afterwards went into the bottling 
business. When the civil war broke out he enlisted as a private in Co. A., 






i =;6 



Col. John P. Donahoe. 

Delegate to National Encampment, U. V. L., at Indianapolis, Ind., in October, 

1893. 

1st Delaware Regiment of Infantry for three months, and when discharged 
worked for a short time at the coopering business.' 

He then enlisted in Philadelphia in the U. S. Marine Corps for four 
years, Oct. 14, 1861. He was kept in the Barracks at Washington, D. C., 
until February, 1862, when he was sent to New York to join the expedition 
to capture New Orleans, Louisiana. He served in twenty-eight general en¬ 
gagements and numerous skirmishes, was slightly wounded, and taken pris¬ 
oner at Sabine, Texas, September 9, 1863, and was held until May 20, 1865, 
at Tyler prison, Texas. He was on one ship when it was blown up, and on an¬ 
other when it was sunk. When the war was ended, he with all others 
there held, was liberated and sent into the Union lines at the mouth of Red 
River. He was forwarded to Brooklyn Barracks and served there until dis¬ 
charged, October 14, 1865. 

He located in Wilmington, February, 1872, when he organized the firm 
of Donahoe & Robinson, Bottlers, and January 1st, 1880, he purchased Rob¬ 
inson’s interest from him. In 1881 he bought the old Bee Hive property, 
and erected the bottling establishment that he still conducts there. 

He was appointed on the Governor’s staff, rank of Colonel, and was 
one of the Trustees of Troop B Armory, N. G. of Delaware. In 1888 he 
was elected to the Delaware Senate. In January, 1891, he was elected 
Speaker of the Senate. 

Object. 

The Semi-Mjlitary Order of the Union Veteran Legion of the United 
States, organized but a few years ago, ?nd adapted to meet the requirements 
of an association truly representing that patriotic, unselfish and determined 
body of citizen soldiers upon which our country relied with confidence in her 
ljour of sorest trial; and whose conduct fully justified the confidence reposed 



i57 


in those on whose shoulders fell the brunt of that long, fearful and bloody 
struggle for the maintainance of the American Union. 

No man who gave early and long continued service to the Union cause 
by volunteering in the ranks of his country’s defenders prior to July i, 1863, 
can afford 0 throw aside the glorious heritage of honorable fame, which, by 
virtue of such voluntary service, he is enabled to bequeath to his posterity, 
won by an unsullied record as a soldier in the Union Army. 

It is a duty we owe to posterity ; and to the rising generation seeking to 
know to whom they are really indebted for the blessings and privileges they 
now enjoy in an unbroken and peaceful union of States, a prosperous and 
glorious country ; in order to show the gratitude they feel, that we should 
enable them to distinguish for themselves out of the mass of ex-union sol¬ 
diers yet living, those who are justly and unquestionably entitled to the name 
of Veterans ! 

There are large numbers of the ex-soldiers of the union armies who have 
not yet allied themselves with any veteran organization. Of these the larger 
part are doubtless eligible to membership in our order and are cordially and 
specially invited to join the Union Veteran Legion, in the ranks of which 
any man may feel it an honor to stand enrolled. Our fraternity asks you to 
give this subject your early and earnest attention, with a view to joining our 
ranks in case you are eligible. 

There is work for all, and it is believed that those who entered the ser¬ 
vice prior to July, 1863, had but one object in view, and that was the preser¬ 
vation of the Union. There were no bounties before that date, nor were 
there any fears of a draft; consequently those who shouldered a musket or 
weilded a sabre, felt that it was a sacred duty to offer their lives in defense 
of their country’s honor. The Union Veteran Legion does not for an in¬ 
stant question the patriotism or bravery of a majority of those who entered 
the service subsequent to that date, but that there were many who donned 
the blue for the large amount of bounty paid, or through fear of being 
drafted, no one will question. It was, therefore, thought that the dividing 
line, as indicated above, would result in bringing together those whose pa¬ 
triotism could not be doubted. Works of charity are done quietly, and 
without any ostentation or show, believing that the widows and orphans of 
our dead comrades are entitled to our first thought, and that it is a duty for 
members of the Legion to assist fellow members in every honorable way. 

ELI GIBIL ITY. 

To become a member, the applicant must have been an officer, soldier 
sailor or marine of the Union Army, Navy or Marine Corps, during the war 
of the Rebellion, who volunteered prior to July 1, 1863, for a term of three 
years, and was honorably discharged, for any cause, after a service of at 
least two continuous years, or was at any time discharged by reason of 
wounds received in the line of duty; also those who volunteered for a term 
of two years, prior to July 22, 1861, and served their full term of enlistment, 
unless discharged for wounds received in the line of duty ; but no drafted 
person nor substitute, nor any one who has at any time borne arms against 
the United States, is eligible .—Extract from U. V. L. Rules and Regula¬ 
tions. 

The order originated in Pittsburg, Pa., in March 1884. On November 
17, 1886, a national organization was perfected with twelve encampments in 
four States. 




! 5 8 



J. L. French, Colonel of Encampment No. 34, U. V. L., Wilmington, 

Del., 1893. 


History of Encampment No. 34, Union Yeteran Legion, Wil¬ 
mington,'Del. 



This Encampment was organized on January 30, 1889, in the v office of 
Col. Samuel A. Macallister, on the corner of Seventh and Market streets. 

The following officers were elected : Colonel, Wm. S. McNair ; Lieu¬ 
tenant-Colonel, Ed. C. Concannon ; Major, Samuel File ; Chaplain, Chas. 
A. Foster; Surgeon, Daniel Ross ; Quartermaster, John P. Donahoe; Offi¬ 
cer of the Day, James McDowell; Officer of the Guard. W. H. Taylor. 






*59 


Charter members—John P. Donahoe, Wm. G. Robelen, Samuel A. 
Macallister, Charles A. Foster, Wm. H. Taylor, W. V. Tuxbury, Ed. C. 
Concannon, W. W. Fleetwood, Artemus Wilhelm, Wm. B. Adams, John 
Zebley, Wm. O’Connor, Wm H. Brady, W. S. McNair, Matthew Macklin, 
John Hammill, Peter J. Babcock, E. M. Irwin, James McDowell, Jas. H. 
Hawkins, Jacob Lamplugh, Richard Heritage, Daniel Ross. 

The meeting adjourned to convene February ist, 1889, to institute an 
encampment, to be known as Encampment No. 34. 

The Encampment convened on the date designated, and the officers 
elect were duly installed by Chief Mustering Officer of the National En¬ 
campment, G. W. Miller, and the charter members were mustered in. The 
following officers were appointed : Adjutant, Peter J. Donnelly; Sergeant- 
Major, Henry Manlove; Quartermaster-Sergeant, James M. Banthem; Color 
Bearer, P. J. Babcock; Bugler, Charles Berg; Delegate to National En¬ 
campment, John P. Donahoe; Alternate, Samuel A. Macallister. 

On the following Friday night, they met in Phillip’s Building at Fourth 
and French streets. After the mustering in of several comrades and the 
usual order of business, the trustees reported that they had secured a hall in the 
Maris Building from the Sons of Veterans. They continued meeting there un¬ 
til they moved into their new rooms in the spring of 1892, in the Crosby & 
Hill’s Building. These rooms had been fitted up by their room committee, 
Robert McCaulley, James Green and Lewis P. Roderick. They have 
as fine and as comfortable quarters as there are in the State. Adjoining 
their hall they have a parlor nicely furnished with a library of choice read¬ 
ing matter, where the veterans meet to read and smoke, and talk over 
camp life and general reminiscenses of the war. The committee use it for 
their work, and the ladies of the U. V. L. hold a meeting there once a 
week. 

Much of the labor of fitting up of the hall and the parlor fell upon the 
room committee and Col. W. V. Tuxbury, while all contributed as much as 
they could to make it a success, which it is ; so much so that it has been 
named the ‘‘Sailors’ Snug Harbor.” 

This encampment, although young, has expended for expenses, relief 
and beneficient purposes since its organization, the sum of $1,000. 

Representatives of the National Encampment for 1892—James P. Green, 
John P. Donahoe, Chas. A. Foster, J. L. French. 

National Officeis— 

Members of Executive Committee—Edward C. Concannon, 1890 ; Chas. 
A. Foster, 1893. 

Assistant Inspector General—James McDowell, 1889, 1892,1893 ; Chas. 
A. Foster, 1890; Chas. Solloway, 1891. 

Aid-de-Camp—Edward C. Concannon, 1891. 

Assistant Adjutant-General on Staff of National Commander, Col. W. 

V. Tuxbury, 1893. 

Aids-de-Camp, Robert McCaulley and Lewis P. Roderick, 1893. 

Past Colonels—W. S. McNair, Samuel Macallister, Harry A. Sheetz, 

W. V. Tuxbury. 

Present officers—Colonel, J. L. French; Lieutenant-Colonel, Philip Lay¬ 
man; Major, John Orr; Officer of the Day, Lewis Wilcox; Adjutant, Lewis P. 
Roderick; Quartermaster, Edgar A. Finley; Surgeon, John Zebley; Chaplain, 
Jacob Lamplugh; Officer of the Guard, John Parris; Sergeant-Major, Samuel 
Todd; Quartermaster-Sergeant, Robert McCaulley; Color-Sergeant, Jacob 
Slifer; Sentinel, W. T. Ward. 

Trustees—Robert McCaulley, Ed. C. Concannon, Lewis P. Roderick. 


i6o 


TJ. V. L. Memorial Service. 

The Union Veteran Legion, Encampment 34, held its annual memorial 
service in Eden Hall, Wilmington, on May 26, 1891. The room was hand¬ 
somely decorated with flags, while over the stage were streamers of crape. 
A portrait ot General Grant was on one side of the stage, and one of Abra¬ 
ham Lincoln on the other on the wall. Back of the stage was a handsome 
banner bearing the words, “We Commemorate the Memory of Our Fallen 
Comrades.” Three chairs were heavily draped in mourning that stood in 
front of the stage, representing the places made vacant by the death of three 
comrades, Colonel A. H. Grimshaw, Past Colonel Wm. S. McNair and John 
Hammill. The officers formed a square and sat directly in front of the plat¬ 
form ; the Lieutenant-Colonel sat in front of the Colonel, and twenty feet 
from the platform the Major and Chaplain sat facing each other, half-way 
between the stage and the Lieutenant-Colonel. 

As the adjutant read the record of the deceased members Officer-of-the- 
Day James McDowell placed a bouquet of flowers in each of the vacant 
chairs, and Drummer J. Trabbold sounded the taps or dead roll. 

Addresses were made by Col. Sheetz, Past Colonel Macallister, General 
W. P. Snyder, Hon. Anthony Higgins and the Rev. Charles Murray. 


u. Y. L. Notes of Interest. 

On May 27, 1891, John L. Brilely, son of Commissary Sergeant Peter 
Brilely, who was killed at Petersburg in 1864, presented to Encampment 34, 
Union Veteran Legion, of Wilmington, an illuminated roster of Company 
A, 4th Regiment, Delaware Infantry. It bears the names of all of Co. A’s 
officers and members, dates of organizations, engagements, discharges, &c. 


The Legion, accompanied by about two hundred friends, went to Cape 
May on July 23, 1891, headed by Col. Wainwright and Mr. F. E. Bach, who 
had been appointed a committee to wait upon President Harrison. The 
veterans marched to his cottage on the beach, where they were tendered a 
reception by the President and Secretary of State Foster. 


On the occasion of the U. V. L. Encampment No 34, to Reading, Pa., 
on October 14, 1891, to attend the Sixth Annual Encampment of the 
National U. V. L., they carried a new banner ot white and blue silk, neatly 
lettered*with name and organization in gold, trimmed with gold bullion 
fringe, hung upon a cross bar of ebony representing a spear, with the United 
States colors festooned on the top. 


A Reception. 

The Legion tendered a reception in German Hall on Wednesdav even¬ 
ing, Nov. 26, 1891, to Dr. Miller, National Commander, Adjutant-General 
Caldwell and staff and Encampment No. 2, of Philadelphia, who, two years 
previous, had helped to organize the Encampment. 

The visitors were met at the depot by a committee of ten comrades, 
Sons of Veterans and the Thos. A. Smyth Drum Corps, and escorted to the 
hall. 

Col. Macallister introduced the visiting comrades to the members of the 
Encampment. The address of welcome by the Mayor of Wilmington was 
responded to by the National Commander. 






i6i 


Speeches were made by Commander Solomon, of Post No. i, Senator 
John P. Donahoe, ex-City Solicitor Turner, Col. Caldwell, Major Fritz, Capt. 
Brady, Past Department Commander P. B. Ayars, Col. S. A. Macallister, 
E. C. Concannon, Major H. A. Sheetz, Col. W. V. Tuxbury, Chas. A. Fos¬ 
ter, Col. Bane and Commander Vickers. 

At the close of the reception a banquet was served. 


XJ. Y. L. Notes of Interest. 


At a meeting of the Encampment in January, 1892, the Comrades were 
presented with a handsomely designed cake bearing the monogram, “U. V. 
L.,” the gift of Mrs. John Zebley. 


The Encampment was presented with a sword, used on the battlefield of 
the late war, by Comrade Samuel Lewis. 


The Encampment held a Memorial service in their rooms, on Saturday 
evening, May 28th, 1892. Colonel Commander W. V. Tuxbury presided. 
Addresses were delivered by Mayor S. J. Willey, Past Department Com¬ 
mander Ayars, Dr. Theodore A. Worrell, Henry C. Conrad, Esq., and Dr. 
D. F. Waddell. 



James F. Keller, Colonel of Encampment No. 109, U, V. L Balti¬ 
more, Md., 1893. 









History of Encampment No. 109, Union Veteran Legion of 

Baltimore. 

The frequent attempts to organize an Encampment of the Union Vet¬ 
eran Legion, in the city of Baltimore, met with little or no success until the 
latter part of the year, 1891. The objections usually advanced by many, 
that it antagonized the G. A. R., were overcome and through the strenuous 
efforts of Comrade Thos. J. Hubbard, assisted by a few comrades, there 
were a sufficient number of signers secured to warrant the application for a 
charter. ^ 

A meeting of the signers was called on which occasion the objects, bene¬ 
fits; &c., of the Union Veteran Legion were explained by Comrade Jno. T. 
Brady, of Washington, D. C., Junior Vice National Commander, after 
which a committee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements for 
organizing and electing the officers to preside during the year. 

On March 11, 1892, in Elks’ Hall, Baltimore street, near Gay, Encamp¬ 
ment No. 109 was established by the mustering in of the following twenty- 
one comrades by Comrade John T. Brady, Vice National Commander, 
assisted by some ten or more comrades from Encampment 69, of Washing¬ 
ton, D. C.: Thomas J. Hubbard, John F. Keller, William Mangoldt, Wm. 
H. Ferris, William J. Barnes, George F. Guier, Wm Louis Schley, Wm. H. 
Reddall, H. C. Mackie, C. W. Griffin, George A. Yoe, Pennock J. Cole, 
William Taylor, Wm. M. Stanley, Christian Daub, John F. Maguire. Wm. 
H. Kelly, Benjamin F. Batson, Wm. H. Davis, Wm. Marquardt, Henry 
Sinclair. 

After the muster-in, the following comrades were elected, appointed 
and installed officers for the year : Colonel, Thos. J. Hubbard; Lieutenant- 
Colonel, Jno. F. Keller; Major, Wm. Mangoldt; Surgeon, Wm. H. Davis; 
Officer of the Day, Henry C. Mackie; -Adjutant, Geo. F. Guier; Quarter¬ 
master, Wm. J. Barnes; Officer of the Guard, Benj. F. Batson; Chaplain, P. 
J. Cole; Sergeant-Major, Christian Daub; Quartermaster-Sergeant, Geo. N. 
Rine. 

Our members increased gradually, and at the end of the first six months 
of our existence as an encampment our roll contained the names of sixty as 
good, tried and true old veterans as ever drew bead on Johnny Reb., and 
out of this number the grim Reaper selected two of our comrades as his vic¬ 
tims, and on fame’s eternal camping-ground their silent tents are spread. 
At the close of our first year, we numbered 78 comrades. The present offi¬ 
cers of the Encampment are as follows. 

Colonel, John F. Keller; Lieutenant-Colonel, William Mangoldt; Ma¬ 
jor, Henry C. Mackie; Officer of the Day, Aug. Lindenstruth ; Quarter¬ 
master, John F. Thomas ; Chaplain, Pennock F. Cole ; Surgeon, William 
H. Davis; Adjutant, George F. Guier; Officer of the Guard, August Andre; 
Color Bearer, Anthony Stump; Sentinel, John B. Wilson ; Sergeant Major, 
John F. Maguire; Quartermaster Sergeant, Wm. T. Barnes; Trustees, Wm. 
H. Ferris. 1 year; Christian Daub, 2 years; James H. Morrison, 3 years. 


i6 3 



God’s Flag. 

Only One Flag in “Percession.” 

Who on airth hez caused the ruction 
And the rumpus that is here, 

That hez riled the Grand Commander: 

Made him git rite on his ear, 

“Sez the boys have been a marchin’ 
And paradin’ here and there 
With some other flag a wavin’ 

And a flyin’ in the air ” • 

And he sez “no flag of treason 
Now had orter be in sight 
And I’m blessed if I ain’t thinkin’ 

That the Grand Commander’s right, 
For the old flag led the column 
Once in triumph to the sea, 

And when Grant at Appomatix 
Knocked the stuffin’ out o’ Tee. 

Is there airy flag or banner 
Goin’ to take her place to-day, 

Even when a column’s marchin’ 
Representin’ blue and gray ? 

Kf thar is, then stop paradin’ 

Thro’ the streets with solemn tread ; 
What’s the use in decoratin’ 

Graves of loyal Union Dead ? 

Only room in the percession 
Fer but one flag—front and rear, 
That’s Old Glory’s place forever, 

Don’t forgit, “Do you hear?” 

Fer she led when old Tecumpsy 
Marched in triumph to the sea, 

And when Grant at Appomatix 
Jumped with both feet onto Dee. 

If the boys will keep fergittin, 

How the Old* Flag used to look, 

L,et them stop fer jist a minute 
While I open up the Book. 

























164 


Tho’ the picture is imperfect 
They will know it at a glance, 

With her color guard awaitin’ 

Fer the order to advance. 

See, a gentle breeze in passing 
Seems to straighten out its fold, 

And her field of blue seems kivered 
With its stars of shiny gold. 

Thus she looked “before” she started 
Sweepin’ onward to the sea, 

Or when Grant at Appomatix 
• Stopped the flyin’ hosts of “Tee-” 

Took agin, and see her movin’ 

Out with yonder line of blue, 

See her stripes all torn and faded, 

Smoke begrimmed and “bloody” too 
* Plunging shot and deadly missils 

Scream like demons thro’ the air, 
Tho’ the conflict rages fiercest 
You can see Old Glory there. 

Tho’ fer four long years she led you 
Thro’ a thousand fields of strife, 

And the pathway only ended 

When you saved the Nation’s life. 
Was thar airy other banner 
Could hev led you to the sea, 

Or helped Grant at Appomatix 
Git the “under holt” on Tee. 

Took agin, and see her cornin’ 

Pinted straight toward the north ; 
Don’t you almost hear the shoutin’ 
Everywhere a breakin’ forth ? 

See, on every inch of buntin’ 

She is bearin’ names that tell, 

To the sad and weepin’ mothers 
Whar their boys in honor fell. 

Now, jest ax yourselves the question 
When you passed in grand review, 
Nigh a hundred thousand of you 
Cornin’ down the avenoo, 

Warn’t you proud to help to bring her 
Back in triumph from the sea, 

Tong with Grant from Appomatix, 

With the sword of Bobby Tee ? 

Keep a lookin’ and a readin’ 

At the names you haint fergot : 

Ther is Donelson and Shiloh, 

Whar you suffered as you fought ; 
Mission Ridge an’ Tookout Mountain, 
Side by side the story tell ; 

Vicksburg, Franklin and Atlanta 
Mark the spot whar thousands fell, 
Bloody Gettysburg, Antietam 
And the Wilderness are there, 

All in silent languages speaking 
Of yore “nerve ” to do or dare, 

Not for self but her honor ; 

Safe ieturning from the sea 
Bringin’ Grant from Appomatix, 

Where he “ done up ” Robert Tee. 

Comrades, no one is the gainer 
When they act the sycephant ; 

We don’t hev to speak of Jackson 
Every time we mention Grant, 


When we speak of Meade and Sherman 
“Must” we mention Bragg- an’ Bill, 

Just to gain the trade and commerce 
And a people’s free good will. 

Let the world jest blow an’ bluster 
’Bout the harsh decree of fate, 

And of souls that can’t help starvin’ 

When thar nourishment is hate. 

Let them blow, but do no marchin’, 

If the colors that you see 
“Fell,” when Grant at Appomatix 
Knocked the pins from under Bee. 

Comrades, when a hand is offered 
By the boys who wore the gray, 

Don’t stand thar a hezitatin’, 

Lookin’ kinder ’tother way ; 

Grab it like a man an’ hold it, 

Tho’ you hear the muscles crack: 

Fvery squeeze that Johnny gives you 
Kindly give another back. 

Ask no more than what is due you 
And “be sure ” you take no less ; 

Let fraternal motives guide you 
When a “ loyal” hand you press, 

But your “ badge ” is a reminder 
That your colors ‘ ‘ ought to be 
Those that flew at Appomatix 

“After ” Grant was thro’ with Lee. 

—C. C. Hassler, 

Bloomington, Ill. 


Biographical Sketch of Edwin F. Hirst. 

Comrade Edwin Hirst was born in Heaton Norris, Lancashire county, 
England, on May 18, 1830, of humble parentage. On April 12, 1848, ac¬ 
companied by his parents, he sailed from Liverpool for the United States, 
and landed in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 21, three days after his 18th 
birthday. His first home in America was at “ Kitchen’s Mills,” on the his¬ 
toric Wissahickon, about one mile from Manayunk. While residing there 
he became a member of Leverington Division, S. ofT., of Roxborough. 

In 1850 Comrade Hirst moved to Upland, Pa., where he became a 
member of the Baptist Church and has been active in Church work ever 
since. On July 23, 1853. he was made an Odd Fellow by initiation in Leipers- 
ville Lodge, No. 263, in Delaware county, Pa. Upon his removal to Wil¬ 
mington, in 1854, he transferred his membership to Mechanics’ Lodge, No. 
4, of said place, and soon entered the Grand Lodge of Delaware. On Feb¬ 
ruary 6, 1885, he became a full member of Delaware Encampment, No. 1, 
I. O. O. F.; became a member of the Grand Encampment, and in July, 
1866, was elected Grand Scribe, to which office he has been re-elected for 
27 consecutive years. He was twice elected Grand Representative of the 
Grand Encampment of Delaware to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F. 

Comrade Hirst joined the Keokuk Tribe, No. 3, Improved Order of Red 
Men, August 30, 1885; entered the Grand Council of Delaware on January 
12, 1857, of which body he acted as Great Chief of Records for 15 years, 
and as Chief of Records of Keokuk Tribe for twenty years. He was a 
member of Diamond State Lodge, No. 3, Improved Order of Good Tem¬ 
plars, and entered the Grand Lodge of Delaware. He became a member 
of the American Order of Good Fellows, and entered the Grand Lodge. He 
is a charter member of Washington Lodge, No. 1, Knights of Pythias, of 
which he was the first member, first presiding officer, and was appointed 



Edwin F. Hirst. 


Deputy Grand Chancellor of the State, and is Past Grand Chancellor and 
Past Supreme Representative. 

Before a call for troops was issued, he signed a muster roll in the Wil¬ 
mington Library room, over the old Fourth Street market-house, and became 
a member of the first company (A) Home^Guards. This company was prac¬ 
tically the only military school in this city, and the organization was main¬ 
tained at private expense until the First, Second, Third and Fourth Dela T 
ware regiments of infantry volunteers had been mustered and forwarded to 
the front. When the Fifth regiment was forming, Company “A” enlisted 
bodily, and was mustered in as Company “G” in that regiment. Although 
Comrade Hirst had been twice exempt from draft, he was accepted as a 
volunteer with his company. 

As a member of DuPont Post, No. 2, he has'served as Chaplain, and 
was Adjutant for two years, under Commanders Johnson and Litzenberg, 
and aid-de-camp on the staff of Department Commander McNair. 

For several years he has been chairman of the committee for the recep¬ 
tion of flowers at the City Hall, used to decorate the graves on Memorial 
Day. The little children who went laden with flowers, always went to him, 
well knowing that he would receive them graciously, thank them for the 
part that they took in the good work, and that he would record their names 
as the donors of the flowers. 






167 



History of the United States Flag. 

By Edwin F. Hirst. 

In its widest sense, a standard is a flag or ensign under which men 
are united together for some common purpose. The use of the standard as 
a rallying place takes us back to remote ages. The idea, it is said, origi¬ 
nated with the Egyptians. 

The Jewish army was marshalled with the aid of standards belonging 
to the four tribes of Judah, Reuben, Ephraim and Dan, and the Egyptians 
had ensigns with representations of their favorite animals. 

In the earliest era of Roman history, a bundle of hay or fern is said to 
have been used as a military standard, which was succeeded by bronze or 

silver figures of animals attached to staffs, of which Pliny enumerates five_ 

the eagle, the wolf, the minotam, the horse and the boar. 

The Crusaders added the cross to their banner. 

The St. George’s cross (-)-) is the national ensign of England. 

The St. Andrew’s cross (-f) is the national ensign of Scotland. 

The St. Patrick’s cross (-J-) is the National ensign of Ireland. 

The first Union Jack, which was introduced by royal proclamation in 
1606, three years after the union of the Scottish with the English crown, 
combined only the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew. This combina¬ 
tion was, by royal proclamation July 28, 1707, constituted the national flag 
of Great Britain. 

On the union with Ireland, which was consummated on the 1st of Janu¬ 
ary, 1801, a new union ensign was introduced. This combination of the 
three crosses of St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick constitutes-the pres¬ 
ent union flag of Great Britain and Ireland. 

Naturally, the regular English ensign was used by the colonists in their 
early days, and that, of course, was the cross of St. George (f), followed by 
the first Union Jack (*), a combination of the crosses of St. George and 
St Andrew. 

John Endicott, who was born in England, in 1589, and sent out by* the 
Massachusetts Company, in 1628, to oversee the plantation at Salem, was 
Governor of Massachusetts for some years, between 1644 and 1665, and, 
being a rigid Puritan, he was zealous and intolerant in administration, after 
the fashion of those times. With this spirit he cut the cross from the flag, 
because it was a Romanistic emblem. 

The colonial flags varied in color, it being sufficient if ground and cross 


168 


differed in colors. Now and then a pine tree was figured in the upper left 
hand corner of the cross, and one flag had only the tree for a symbol. 

The colonial flag of Amsterdam, (substantially the present arms of New 
York City) was carried by armed vessels sailing out of New York—a 
beaver being the principal figure, indicative both of the industry of the 
Dutch people and the wealth of the fur trade. 

The day after the battle of Bunker Hill, Putman displayed a flag with a 
red ground, having on one side the Connecticut motto, “ Qui transtulit sus- 
tinet ” and on the other the words, “An Appeal to Heaven.” 

Sir Edmund Andros,who was sent to America in 1674 t0 be Governor of 
the colony of New York established a special flag for New England, a 
white field with a St.George’s cross, and in the centre “J. R.—Jacobus Rex 
(James, King) surmounted by a crown. 

The Revolution brought in all manner of devices for flags and banners, 
the larger portion bearing mottoes more or less defiant of the foreign govern¬ 
ment. 

Soon after the fight at Lexington, the volunteers from Connecticut put 
in their flag the arms of the colony, with the legend “Sui transtulitsustinet" 
(He who brought us over will sustain us.) 

Col. William Moultrie, a Scotchman, who built Fort Moultrie at Charles¬ 
ton, S. C., designed what is said to be the first American flag displayed in 
the American States, which was hoisted over Fort Moultrie in September, 
1775. The color of the flag was blue, adopted from the clothing of the State 
troops, with a white crescent in the dexter corner, taken from a badge worn 
in their caps, by two regiments who garrisoned the Fort. 

At Cambridge, Mass., January 2, 1776, Washington displayed the orig¬ 
inal of the present United States flag, consisting of thirteen stripes of red 
and white, with a Saint Andrew cross in the field now occupied by the 
stars. It is said that Washington’s flag also contained the coat of arms of 
the Washington family, the genealogy of which is traced back among the 
titled nobility of England to the 13th century. 

In 1776, “The Life Guard,” (Washington’s) consisting of 180 men, car¬ 
ried a banner of white silk on which was painted a neat device. One of the 
guard is seen holding a horse, and is represented as receiving a flag from 
the Genius of Liberty, who is personified as a woman leaning upon a Union 
Shield, near which is the American Eagle. The motto of the corps, “Con¬ 
quer or Die,” is upon a ribbon over top. 

The rattlesnake flag was used, to some extent, in two forms. In one 
form the snake was cut in thirteen pieces.'to represent thirteen colonies ac¬ 
companied by the legend, “ Join, or Die ” In the other form the snake was 
intact, and under the figure were the words, “Don’t Tread on Me,” and, in 
some cases, the snake had thirteen rattles. 

On seeing the device of the rattlesnake on one of the drums of that day. 
Dr. Franklin writes as follows : “On inquiry, and from study, I learned that 
the ancients considered the serpent an emblem of wisdom; and,-in some 
attitudes of endless duration ; also, that countries are often represented by 
animals peculiar to those countries. The rattlesnake is found nowhere but 
in America. Her eye is exceedingly bright, and without eyelids—an emblem 
of vigilance. She never begins an attack, and never surrenders—an emblerq 
of magnanimity and courage. She never wounds even her enemies till she 
generously gives them warning not to tread on her, which is emblematical 
of the people who inhabit her country. She appears apparently weak and 
defenceless, but her weapons are, nevertheless, formidable. Her poison is 
the necessary means for the digestion of her food, but certain destruction to 
her enemies, showing the power of American resources. Her thirteen rat¬ 
tles, the only part which increases in number, are distinct from each other, 
and yet so united that they cannot be disconnected without breaking them 


169 

to pieces, showing the impossibility of an American Republic without a 
union of the States A single rattle will give no sound alone, but the ring¬ 
ing ot the thirteen together is sufficient to startle the boldest man alive. She 
is beautiful in youth, which increaseth with age. Her tongue is forked, as 
the lightning, and her abode is among the impenetrable rocks.” 

The Richmond Rifles flag was of blue color with a uniformed soldier on 
one side, and the Goddess of Liberty on the other, acting as the support of 
a large shield, upon which, with-outspread wings was an eagle. At the base 
of this was piled cannon balls and drums, etc., while behind it were arranged 
several striped or continental flags. 

In 1778 a banner of crimson silk, on which was wrought with their own 
hands, beautiful designs in needlework, was prepared by the Nuns (Morav¬ 
ian Sisters) of Bethlehem, Pa., and sent with their blessing to the Polish 
Count Pulaski, who had patriotically served in the Continental Army of the 
battle on the Brandywine, and had been commissioned to organize a corps 
of cavalry in the city of Baltimore. 

In the centre of this banner is a representation of the All Seeing Eye, 
inclosed in an equilateral triangle, from which lines, or rays of light are seen 
radiating in all directions; this emblem is surrounded by thirteen stars, ar¬ 
ranged in a circle, always the symbol of Continuity and Eternity. Outside 
of, and concentrically with this, is another circle of significance, composed 
of the Latin woids, “Non Alius Regit,” (Not Another Shall Rule.) How 
beautiful and prophetically is the perpetuity of the Union herein fore¬ 
shadowed ! The manifest destiny of which is One Country and One Flag. 

The first form of the United States flag was the stars and stripes. Its 
proportions are perfect when properly made, and its construction as after¬ 
ward adopted, took place under the personal direction of General Washing¬ 
ton, and by a committee of Congress “authorize to design a suitable flag for 
the Nation” at Philadelphia, June 1777. 

This took place at the residence of Mrs. Ross, a relative of Colonel 
Ross, in Arch street, between Second and Third, where General Washing¬ 
ton and the committee completed the design and employed Mrs. Ross to 
execute the work. The house is still standing, (No. 229.) Mrs. Ross was 
afterwards Mrs. Claypoole. Her maiden name was Griscom and after the 
fashion of the times she was called “Betsy.” 

“Betsy Griscom had, before the revolution, acquired some knowledge 
of the upholder trade, as it was then called—an occupation synonymous 
with that of the modern upholsterer, and at the time mentioned was carrying 
on business on her own account in her little shop. One day, probably be¬ 
tween the 23d of May and the 7th of June, 1777, during which period 
Washington was in Philadelphia.there came to her the Commander-in-Chief, 
the Hon. George Ross and other gentlemen, members of Congress, who 
desired to know whether she could make them a flag according to a design 
which they would produce. She intimated her willingness to try. The 
design was for a flag of thirteen red and white stripes, alternate, with a 
union blue in*the field, spangled with the thirteen six-pointed stars. Mrs. 
Ross expressed her willingness to make the flag, but suggested that the 
stars would be more symmetrical and pleasing to the eye if made with five 
points, and she showed them how such a star could be made by folding a 
sheet of paper and producing the pattern in a single cut. Her plan was ap¬ 
proved, and she at once proceeded to make the flag which was finished the 
next day. Mrs. Ross was given the position of manufacturer of flags for 
the government, and for some years she was engaged in that occupation. 
The business descended to her children and was carried on by her daughter, 
Clarissa Claypoole. who voluntarily relinquished it on becoming a member 
of the society of Friends, lest her handiwork should be used in time of 
war.” 


170 


The first official action taken in regard to a National flag is to be found 
in the proceedings of the Continental Congress of the 4th of June, 1777, 
when the following resolution was adopted : 

Resolved , That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alter 
nate red and white; that the Union be thirteen stars, white in blue field, 
representing a new constellation. 

This continued to be the National flag, the thirteen stripes and the 
thirteen stars representing thirteen States, until two “ new States” were ad¬ 
mitted into the Union—Vermont on the 4th of March, 1791, and Kentucky 
on the 1st of June, 1792—when Congress passed an act January 13, 1794, 
making an alteration in the flag of the United States, which provided “that 
from and after the first day of May, Anno Domini, one thousand seven hun¬ 
dred and ninety-five, the flag of the United States be fifteen stripes, alter¬ 
nate red and white ; that the Union be rifteen stars, white in a blue field.” 

No further action seems to have been taken respecting the flag, until 
the subject was brought to the notice of the House of Representatives, on 
the 9th of December, 1816, by Mr. Peter H. Wendover, a Representative 
from the State of New York; at whose instance a committee was appointed 
who made a report which, however, was not acted upon, and the subject 
dropped with the session. 

At the next session it was renewed by the same gentleman, who again 
made a report upon the subject, in which he said : 

“The committee are fully persuaded that the form selected for the 
American flag was truly emblematical of our origin and existence as an in¬ 
dependent nation; but they believe, however, that an increase in the num¬ 
ber of states in the Union since the flag was started by law, sufficiently in¬ 
dicates the propriety of such a change in the arrangement of the flag as 
shall best accord with the reason that led to its original adoption, and suf¬ 
ficiently to mark important periods of our National history. 

Referring to the alteration made in the flag by the Act of January 13, 
1794, he says : “The accession of new States since that alteration, and the 
certain prospect that at no distant period the number of States will be con¬ 
siderably multiplied, which will render it, in the opinion of the committee, 
highly inexpedient to increase the number of stripes, as every flag must, in 
some measure, be limited in size ; that under the circumstances they are lead 
to believe no alteration could be made more emblematical of our origin and 
present existence than to reduce the number of stripes to the original num¬ 
ber of thirteen, to represent the number then contending for and happily 
achieving their independence; and to increase the stars to the number cor¬ 
responding to the number of States now in the Union, and hereafter to add 
one star whenever a new State shall be admitted. 

The recommendations of this report were adopted by Congress and em¬ 
bodied in the following act, which was approved April 4, 1818. 


An Act to Establish the Flag of the United States. 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States 
of America, in Congress Assembled: 

That from and after the 4th day of July next, the flag of the United 
States be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white ; that the Union 
be twenty stars, white in a blue field 

Section 5. And be it further enacted, That on the admission of every 
new State into the Union one star be added to the Union of the flag ; and 
that such addition shall take effect on the 4th of July then next succeeding 
such admission. 

{April 4, 1818 ; 3 Stat., 415 .] 



The stars of the flag represent the idea taken from the constellation of 
Lyra, which signifies harmony. The blue of the field was taken from the 
banner of the Covenanters of Scotland, likewise significant of the league 
and covenant of the United States against oppression, and incidentally in¬ 
volving vigilance, perseverance and justice. The stars were disposed in a 
circle, symbolizing the perpetuity of the Union, the circle being the sign of 
eternity. 

Both the thirteen stripes and the stars showed the number of the United 
Colonies, and denoted the subordination of the States to, and their depend¬ 
ence upon, the Union, as well as equality among themselves. The whole was 
a blending of the previous banners, namely, the red flag of the army and the 
white one of the navy. The red color, which, in the days of Roman glory, 
was the signal of defiance, denoted daring, and the white denoted purity. 

The first ensign displayed by a regular American man-of-war; was hoisted 
by John Paul Jones, a Scotchman by birth, whose nautical exploits figured 
so prominently during the Revolutionary war. On the third of December, 
1775, he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant of the Alfred, then lying 
in the Delaware, and in the same month, from the mast of the Alfred, he 
displayed a flag believed to contain the device of a pine tree with a rattle¬ 
snake at its root about to strike, and the words “Don’t Tread on Me.” 

The stars and stripes were unfurled for the first time by the army at the 
battle of Saratoga, on the occasion of the surrender of General Burgoyne, 
October 17, 1777. 

The United States flag in its present form was first thrown to the breeze 
over the House of Representatives at Washington, D. C., on the 13th of 
April, 1818. 

The first United States flag raised in a foreign port was displayed from 
the mast of a Wilmington vessel, which from the circumstances and for the 
reason of its local interest, I feel justified in giving the account verbatim 
from Elizabeth Montgomery’s “ Reminiscences of Wilmington.” 

“In the winter of i775,Robert Morris, Esq., of English Birth,Financier 
for the Continental Congress, chartered the brig Nancy, of Wilmington, 
Del., owned by J®seph Shallcross, Joseph Tatnall, and others, and by Capt. 
Hugh Montgomery, who was Commander. The ensuing March she sailed 
for Porto Rico, under English colors, and landed at Don Antonio Seronia 
to procure arms and ammunition, by a contract previously made with the 
Spanish government. 

Thence the brig sailed to different islands to elude suspicion. At St. 
Croix and St. Thomas she took in produce by day, and munitions of war by 
night; these were sent in small vessels from St. Eustatia, being neutral 
islands. 

When the cargo was nearly complete, information was received that in¬ 
dependence was declared, and a description of the colors adopted. This 
was cheering intelligence to the captain, as it would divest him of acting 
clandestinely. Now they could show their true colors. The material was 
at once procured, and a young man on board set to work privately to make 
them. He was well-known here in after years as Capt. Thomas Mendin- 
hall. 

The number of men was increased and the brig armed for defense, and 
all things put in order. The day they sailed the captain invited the Gover¬ 
nor and suit, with twenty other gentlemen, on board to dine. A sumptu¬ 
ous dinner was cooked, and a sea-turtle being cooked gave the usual name 
of a turtle feast. 

As the custom house barges approached with the company they were 
ordered to lay on their oars while a salute of thirteen guns was fired. Amid 
the firing, the young man who made the flag was ordered to haul down the 
English flag and hoist the first American stars ever seen in a foreign port. 


172 


* Cheers for the National Congress,’ and cries of ‘ Down with the lion ; up 
with the stars and stripes,’ were shouted.” 

By the War Department the stars in the union are usually so placed as 
to form one large star. In the navy the stars are in straight lines, perpen¬ 
dicular and horizontal. 

The Union Jack has a blue ground with all stars and no stripes. The 
United States revenue flag has sixteen vertical stripes, alternate red and 
white, with a white union bearing the National arms in dark blue. 

During the war of the rebellion the seceding States had a number of 
distinct flags. Early in 1861, however, their Congress decided upon what 
was popularly called the “Stars and Bars,” which was composed of three 
broad horizontal bars, the two outer ones red and the middle one white, 
with a blue “union” containing nine stars in a circle. 

In 1882 the Bureau of Navigation designed a new flag, to be hereafter 
known as the “ President’s flag.” It is 14 feet long by n feet broad, the 
material of navy blue bunting. In the centre is the American coat-of-arms, 
the eagle holding in its mouth the pennant on which is inscribed, “ E Pluri- 
bus Unum ,” and perched on a shield, grappling in one claw a bunch of 
arrows and in the other a bunch of oak leaves. Above the coat-of-arms; 
arranged in a semi-circle, are thirteen stars, representing the thirteen origi¬ 
nal States. 

In referring to the above the Philadelphia Times relates the following 
incident: 

“ The ridicule cast upon that new-fangled device—the President’s flag 
—recalls an anecdote concerning bluff old Ironsides Farragut. When Vice 
Admiral Porter was in high feather in the Navy Department, during Grant’s 
earlier administration, and had his eye on the possible succession at some 
day to the chief command of the Navy, he brained out an ensign for the 
Admiral, who at that time was the hero Farragut The standard was an 
odd-looking affair and suggested the British cross of St. George as much as 
anything. The first time the new flag was raised on shipboard over the 
head of the old sea-dog—the victor at Mobile and New Orleans—the non¬ 
descript color caught his eye at once. Pointing up to the flag, so the story 
goes, he angrily demanded: ‘ What do you call that gridiron thing ?’ Some 
one told him that it was the newly-devised Admiral’s flag. 

‘Who ordered it to be hoisted ?’ he again asked. He was informed 
that Vice-Admiral Porter had. 

‘Take that rag down at once,’ he thundered. ‘The Stars and Stripes 
are good enough for me.’ Admiral Potter’s gridiron came down with the 
run, and this was the last time its folds were ever unfurled.” 

Except that the galaxy of stars on the flag has been multiplied to nearly 
three and a half times the original number, forty-four States being now 
(1893) represented thereon, with prospects of more additions in the near 
future the design remains as when adopted on June 14, 1777. 

Representing the small, struggling Confederation at first, our flag is 
now recognized the world over as the emblem of one of the first and most 
powerful nations of the earth. And, having been borne by brave and loyal 
hands through many vicissitudes on both land and sea, with uniformly vic¬ 
torious results, it has been, by its faithful and loving devotees; well and ap¬ 
propriately designated, “ Old Glory.” 

Flag Raising Over the Goldey Wilmington Commercial 

College. 

One of the most noted and enthusiastic events that ever occurred in 
this city was the raising of a United Stares flag over the Goldey Wilming¬ 
ton Commercial College, on February 22d, 1892. 


i73 



Goldey Wilmington Commercial College. 


The exterior and the interior of the Institute Hall, in which the Col¬ 
lege is situated, were profusely decorated with flags, bunting and emblems. 
The exercises were held in the auditorium, which was also handsomely 
decorated. The exercises were in charge of the G. A. R. Mayor Stans- 
bury Willey presided. Wesley Meteer presented the flag, a beautiful one 
12^4 x 24 feet, to Professor Goldey, principal of the college, in behalf of 
the alumni. 



Prof. H. S. Goldey. 







174 


“America” and “Columbia, The Gem of the Ocean,” were sung by the 
audience, and H, W. Qimmerman sang the “American Star.” Daniel Ross 
recited “Sheridan’s Ride,” to which Miss A. Estella Morley responded by 
reciting “How Sheridan Come.” National airs were played by the State 
Fencibles Band. 

An address was made by Past Commander A. J. Woodman. The fol¬ 
lowing is part of an address delivered by Past Department Commander 
Peter B. Ayers. 

“ We hope that the spirit of loyalty and patriotism may be kept alive 
in the hearts and minds of the students of this college, and be imparted to 
each successive class to which this flag shall be transmitted. What shall 
we say of the old flag ? Its real history cannot be told on any single occa¬ 
sion. Volumes would be inadequate to tell the story of its fame. Not only 
have our fathers set up this banner in the name of God on the fields of the 
well-earned battles of the Revolution; not alone at Saratoga, at Trenton 
and at Yorktown, but at Lundy’s Lane, at New Orleans, at Beuna Vista, at 
Chapultepec, at Lookout Mountain above the clouds, at Gettysburg, and, 
last of all, in triumph at Appomattox. Brave hands have carried it to the 
Sunny South. Lonely ones in the cold North have been cheered by it. It 
has been set up on the summit of the mountains of the West and the nations 
of the East have been made to realize somewhat the significance of its sym¬ 
bolic power. 

“ Wherever the Old Flag has gone it has been the pride of its friends 
and the terror of its foes. It has been the herald of a better day. It has 
been the pledge of freedom, of justice, of order, of civilization and of Chris¬ 
tianity. Traitors have hated it, and the enemies of mankind have trampled 
it to the earth; but all who desire to see the triumph of truth, love and 
righteousness sing: 

‘ ‘ * Flag of my country, flag of the free, 

Beautiful, streaming, now dearer to me, 

Peerless and stainless, triumphantly wave, 

Over a nation that knows not a slave. ’ 

* * * “ Do not think that all the glory of a flag comes from its victo - 

ries in war. There is something more glorious than the victories of war. 
There is the triumph of freedom over oppression, of justice over wrong ; to 
have just laws, to have a country which can protect our liberties and our 
rights. These are the things for which every true man is willing to devote 
all that he has and all that he is. 

* * * “ i do not know how much sacrifice and devotion may be neces¬ 
sary to preserve our country and this Old Flag in the years that are to come, 
but I do know that the ex-soldiers will join me in praying that you may 
never see our nation torn asunder by civil war and that you may never see 
these colors trailed in the dust. When you see it floating proudly over your 
school look upon it as the emblem of liberty, the ensign of your country and 
the object of your most devoted loyalty and love.” 

The indoor exercises were closed by the audience singing “ Columbia, 
the Gem of the Ocean,” with band accompaniment. 

After this the scholars were dismissed in double file and took a position 
on Market street above Eighth. When the scholars reached the street it 
was already densely crowded and it was with some difficulty that the flag 
raising was seen. The band played the “ Star Spangled Banner,” and the 
handsome flag was floated to the wind amid cheers. 

The services were well conducted. They were in charge of the follow¬ 
ing committees : For the college, H. V. Pyle, chairman; Miss Florence B. 
Upton, Miss Sallie B. Newlin, Miss A. Estella Morley and S. C. Hill. For 
the G. A. R., Mayor Willey, Charles A. Foster, Peter B, Ayars, Daniel 
Ross, A. J. Woodman and Dr. E. G. Shortlidge. 


i75 

Lines. 

On witnessing the raising of the flag on Professor Goldey’s Commercial 
College, February 22d, 1892: 

Flag of our fathers, bright and fair ! 

Rich legacy of Washington ! 

Where’er it floats, in sun or air 

It brighter grows as time rolls on ! 

Nor age, nor tempest leaves a stain— 

New lustre beams from each new star, 

Free and united—all remain 

Victorious in peace and war ! 

Nor might, nor power on land or sea, 

While patriots live and hearts are true, 

Can mar the glorious galaxy 

Resplendent in its field of blue ! 

Upraised by brave and noble men 

From Concord’s plain to Yorktown’s height, 

The pride of every citizen 

Zealous for Uiberty and Right! 

To-day across the deep it bears 

Cove of the New World to the Old, 

And with the starving millions shares 
Its blessings which are manifold ! 

Cove’s mission be thine own alway, 

Bright banner from our fathers’ hands ! 

Forever, as abroad to-day, 

Bear cheer and hope to distant lands ! 

—W. V. Tuxbury. 

















176 

Sheridan’s Ride. 

Up from the South at break of day, 

Bringing to Winchester fresh dismay, 

The affrighted air with a shudder bore, 

Tike a herald in haste, to the chieftian’s door, 

The terrible grumble, and rumble and roar, 

Telling the battle was on once more, 

And Sheridan twenty miles away. 

And wider still those billows of war 
Thundered along the horizon’s bar ; 

And louder yet into Winchester rolled 
The roar of that red sea uncontrolled, 

Making the blood of the listener cold, 

As he thought of the stake in the fiery fray, 

And Sheridan twenty miles away. 

But there is a road from Winchester town, 

A good broad highway leading down ; 

And there through the flush of the morning light, 

A steed as black as the steeds of night, 

Was seen to pass, as with eagle flight, 

As if he knew the terrible need, 

He stretched away, with his utmost speed ; 

Hills rose and fell ; but his heart was gay, 

With Sheridan fifteen miles away. 

The first that the general saw was the groups 
Of stragglers, and then the retreating troops, 

What was done ? what to do ? a glance told him both, 

Then striking his spurs, with a terrible oathj iMJJ 
He dashed down the line, ’mid a storm of huzzas, 4 f 
And the wave of retreat checked its course there, because, 
The sight of the master compelled it to pause, 

With foam and with dust the black charger was gray ; 

By the flash of his eye, and the red nostrils’ play, 

He seemed to the whole army to say 
“I have brought you Sheridan all the way, 

From Winchester down, to save the day. ” 

Hurrah ! hurrah for Sheridan ! 

Hurrah ! hurrah for horse and man ! 

And when their statues are placed on high, 

Under the dome of the Union sky, 

The American soldiers’ Temple of Fame ; 

There with the glorious General’s name, 

Be it said with letters both bold and bright, 

“Here is the steed that saved the day, 

By carrying Sheridan into the fight, 

From Winchester twenty miles away.” 

T. Buchanan Read. 


177 



Past Department Officers of the Department of Maryland. 

LEWIS M ZIMMERMAN, Asst. Adj. Gen., WALLACE A. BARTLETT, Dept. Com. JOHN W. WORTH, Asst.]Q. M. Gen. 

MYRON J. ROSE, Chief Must’g. Officer. WM. J. KLUG, Dept. Inspector. 















i ?8 

Biography of Captain Frank A. Nolen. 

Captain Frank A. Nolen was born in Wilmington, Del., on September 
30, 1841. He enlisted as a private in Company E, First Regiment Delaware 
Volunteers, on April 26, 1861. He enlisted on August 12, 1861, as Sergeant 
in Company H, Second Regiment, for three years, and was promoted to 
First Lieutenant of Company B, same regiment, and had charge of the am¬ 
bulance corps of the First Division of the Second Corps, and served until 
June 30, 1864. He took part in all the battles fought by the Army of the 
Potomac between June 1st, 1862, and June 30, 1864, not missing one of the 
twenty-six battles. He re entered the service on September 8th, 1864, as 
Quartermaster Ninth Delaware Volunteers, and was in active service in 
various positions down to March 1, 1866. On June 17, 1868, he was ap¬ 
pointed Captain United States Volunteers by brevet to rank from March 13, 
1865, for gallant and meritorious services. 

As a member of the Grand Army, Captain Nolen has taken an active 
part in the interests of that Order. In December, 1866, he joined Camp 
Lyon, of St. Louis, Mo. In the spring of 1868, he withdrew from Camp 
Lyon and became a charter member of Camp Lincoln, of St. Louis, Mo., 
and was appointed Assistant Quartermaster-General of the Department of 
that State. 

In November, 1868,Captain Nolen returned to Wilmington, ill with con¬ 
sumption, but soon recovered his health. In the Spring of 1869 he trans¬ 
ferred his membership from Camp Lincoln to Thos. A. Smyth Post, No. 1, 
Wilmington, Del. On July 19, 1869, he was elected Commander of this 
Post, and served three terms of that office. In 1882 he transferred his mem¬ 
bership from Thos. A. Smyth Post to Dushane Post, No. 2, of Baltimore, 
Md., and was elected Commander of that Post in December, 1890, and on 
February 22d, 1893, was elected Department Commander of the Pepart- 
ment of Maryland. 

Capt. Nolen served as a member of the National Council of Adminis¬ 
tration from, Delaw are, 1869, 1870 and 1871, and from the Department of 
Maryland for 1891, and served as a delegate to the National Encampment 
for 1892. 


Department of Maryland, G. A. R. 

Wilson Post, No. 1, Baltimore, Md.—Commander, Alfred S. Cooper. 
Past Post Commanders, George B. Creamer, Kelly Gootee, James H. 
Downs, Henry Wilhelm, Wm. J. Vannort, Henry B. Christhilf. Member¬ 
ship, 463. 


Dusliane Post, No. 3. 

Dushane Post, No. 3, Baltimore, Md.—Commander, George C. Irelan. 
Past Post Commanders, Charles A. Rotan, Wm. H. Snader, Gottleib Seidel, 
Edward S. Harding, Stephen H. Thornton, Wm. J. Sherwood, Thos. T. 
Russell, Cicero A. Moore, Frank Nolen, Chas. R. Coleman, J. Jacob 
Kahler. 

The membership of Dushane Post numbers 493. The generous rivalry 
between Wilson and Dushane Posts led to the development of both. No 
Department of the Grand Army can boast two finer Posts than these.* 

The Dushane Post Hall is a handsome one. The ceiling represents 
four beautiful designs—Commerce, Printing, Art and Music. Over the ped¬ 
estal is a large oil painting of Colonel Dushane, decorated with Old Glory. 




i79 


Just opposite is a beautiful painting of the Merrimac and Monitor. The altar 
and pedestals are made of cannons standing on their end, with tops made of 
walnut, that give them a warlike appearance. The walls are decorated 
with pictures of different battle scenes and naval engagements and a full- 
rigged ship ; portraits of Lincoln, Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Logan, Gar¬ 
field, Washington, Thomas and Warren ; a beautiful framed group picture, 
presented to them by a friendly Post of Philadelphia; a splendid stand of 
arms and equipments, and a case of relics of the late war decorate the room. 
The camp-fires and entertainments held by this Post are excellent and highly 
interesting. 


Women’s Relief Corps of Dushane Post, No. 3. 

The Women’s Relief Corps, auxiliary to Dushane Post, No. 3, was or¬ 
ganized on July 28, 1891, with twenty-five charter members. The Corps was 
organized mainly’through the efforts of Mrs. Ruth A. Graham, wife of Past 
Department Commander Dr. George R. Graham. Mrs. Graham was unani¬ 
mously chosen for President, and re-elected in January, 1892. 

The first officers were : 

President, Mrs. Ruth A. Graham; Senior Vice-President, Mrs. Mary E. 
Naylor; Junior Vice-President, Mrs. Kate Leasure; Secretary, Miss Kate M. 
Kunkel; Treasurer, Miss Florence Leasure; Chaplain, Mrs. Mary Wild; 
Conductor, Miss Kitty Nolen; Assistant Conductor, Miss Allie Knight; 
Guard, Mrs. Annie Eckman; Assistant Guard, Mrs. Harriet High. 

Present Officers—President, Mrs. Mary Naylor; Senior Vice-President, 
Mrs. Mary Wilde; Junior Vice-President, Martha Miller; Secretary, Lizzie 
Smith; Treasurer, Margaret Clements; Conductor, Miss Anna Leasure; 
Assistant-Conductor, Miss Madie Enalt; Guard, Miss Lizzie Durham; Assist¬ 
ant Guard, Miss Susie Durham. 

The present membership in good standing, numbers fifty-six. The 
Corps have been very successful; the first year they, turned over nearly 
#1,000 to the Post, and #215 have been spent for relief. 

At the Department Convention the Dushane Corps exemplified the rit¬ 
ual, for which they were highly complimented by the National Junior Vice 
Commander, Mrs.Whittier The members are enthusiastic workers and are 
ever ready to help the needy comrades and their dependent ones. 


Wingate Post, No. 9. 

Wingate Post, No. 9, North East, Md., Commander, Wm. H. Abrams. 
Past Post Commanders, R. H. Cameron. J. H. McCracken. Patrick Reedy, 
Jesse West, E. T. B. Day, T. A. Worrall, Wm. J. Clark, Jas. N. Cameron, 
S. J. Reeder, Isaiah Biddle, H. C. Wildsmith. Membership 61. 


Assembling of the (*• A. R. Department of Maryland and 

Auxiliaries. 

On February 21st and 22d, 1893, there convened in Baltimore, Md., 
the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Maryland, and auxiliaries, 
the Womens’ Relief Corps. « 

On the evening of the 21st the Encampment held an open camp-fire in 
Grand Army Hall. Department Commander, Wallace A. Bartlett, pre¬ 
sided. A muster was made for the benefit of the Department, especially 
for the Posts in the rural districts. The team was composed of the differ¬ 
ent Posts of the city of. Baltimore, and was conceded by many to be the 





i8o 


finest muster they had ever seen of the G. A. R. After the muster an open 
camp fire commenced, and speeches were made by the various Past De¬ 
partment Commanders, by National Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, P:B. 
Ayars, and by Chas. A. Foster, editor of the Muster Roll , who were guests 
of the Encampment. During their stay in that city they were entertained 
by Dr. G. R. Graham and the present Department Commander, Capt. 
Frank A. Nolen. 

On the 22d the Grand Army Posts met in Grand Army Hall. They 
elected Comrade Frank A. Nolen Department Commander. A resolution 
was adopted in favor of the present pension law and opposing the proposed 
amendments recently defeated in the national House of Representatives. 
John W. Worth was elected delegate-at-large to the National Encampment. 
The next encampment of the Department will be held at Hagerstown. 
Fraternal greetings were exchanged between the Department and the Wo¬ 
men’s Relief Corps, who were in session in Dushane Post Hall. 

The reports presented showed the largest increase in the number of 
members and finances in the history of the Department. There are now 
3,601 members in Maryland, and a large balance in the Department trea¬ 
sury. 

The committee on resolutions presented a report upon the pension 
question, expressing their gratification at the defeat of the amendments of¬ 
fered recently to the Pension bill in Congress, and saying that the present 
pension law affords sufficient protection against fraudulent pension claims, 
and expressing confidence that Congress will always do the soldiers justice 
under any circumstance. This was adopted. 

A resolution was passed commending the letter by Commander-in- 
Chief Weissert to Hon. Joseph H. O’Neil, of Massachusetts, in defense of 
the old soldier’s claim for pensions. 

The following officers were elected: Department Commander, Frank 
Nolen; Senior Vice Department Commander, J. W. McCullough; Junior 
Vice Department Commander, O. A. Horner; Medical Director, J. E. 
Pritchard; Chaplain, A. S. Cooper; Council of Administration, Thomas J. 
Larkins, A. F. Carrick, A. C. Mackil, George J. Finch and W. C. Clay ; 
Delegate-at-Large to National Encampment at Indianapolis in September, 
John W. Worth ; Alternate-at-Large, Daniel Young ; Delegates, Dr. A. A. 
White, Myron J. Rose, A. J. Crockett, Edward Schilling ; Alternates, 
William H. Parker, Alex. M. Briscoe, J. G. Bridaham, H. E. Challis. The 
new officers of the Department were installed by Junior Vice Commander- 
in-Chief Peter B. Ayars of the Department of Wilmington. The Depart¬ 
ment Commander appointed Dr. Hugh A 7 Maughlin, as Assistant Adjutant 
General, and John W. Worth as Assistant Quartermaster General. 


Women’s Relief Corps. 

The Women’s Relief Corps of Maryland, an auxiliary of the G. A. R., 
held their annual session in the Dushane Post Hall, with a large number of 
delegates present. Every Corps in the State was represented except one. 

Mrs. M. A. H. Cadden, President, presided. Mrs. J. A. Whittier, of 
New Brunswick, N. J., Junior Vice-President of the National organization, 
was introduced and made an address. 

The reports showed that during the past year the membership had in¬ 
creased from 473 to over 700; five new corps were instituted, and two were 
disbanded. Eight hundred dollars was expended for relief during the year. 

Telegrams and greetings were exchanged with Mrs. Margaret Wickens, 
of Kansas, President of the National Convention of the Women’s Relief 
Corps, and Mrs. Harriet A. Reed, of Dorchester, Mass., who is known as 



i8i 


the Mother of the Department, because she instituted it. The following 
committee brought greetings from the G. A. R. Department of Maryland : 
Dr. Theodore F. Lang, Joseph C. Hill, Dr. George R. Graham, Frank 
Smith, Dr. A. A. White and Myron J. Rose. They were admitted and pre¬ 
sented to the Convention. 

The following officers were elected : Department President, Mrs. Mary 
E. Frey; Senior Vice-President, Mrs. Ruth A. Graham; Junior Vice-Presi¬ 
dent, Mrs. Haslett; Treasurer, Mrs. Clara Alford; Chaplain, Mrs. Emily J. 
Dalo; Delegate-at-Large, Mrs. M. V. Worth. Executive Board—Mrs. 
Kirby, Mrs. Shannon, Miss Nicholson, Mrs. Sallie Moore and Mrs. Leasure. 
Mrs. Cadden, the retiring President, was presented by the staff officers with 
a very handsome brass and onyx stand, through Mrs. Dr. Graham. The 
officers were all installed and the Convention adjourned. 

At 8 o’clock at night a reception to the Department of Maryland was 
given by the Women’s Relief Corps in Dushane Post Hall, and was attended 
by nearly all of the delegates to both organizations. Dr. Theodore F. Lang 
was called to the chair. Speeches were made by Mrs. Cadden, the retiring 
president of the Women’s Relief Corps, and Mrs. Frey, the new president; 
Comrade P. B. Ayars, of Delaware; Past Department Commanders Smith 
and Vernon, and Department Commander Nolen. 

At half-past 9 o’clock a ball in honor of Washington’s Birthday was 
given in Grand Army Hall by Posts No. 44 and 46 and Corps 5 and 6 of 
the Women’s Relief Corps. The hall was crowded with the members who 
attended the .sessions of both bodies during the day, and the wives and lady 
friends of the old soldiers. A concert was given in the lower hall. The 
crowd was so large that many of the visitors went over and danced in Du¬ 
shane Post Hall. The reception committee consisted of General Felix 
Agnus, Messrs. W. W. Johnson, Wm. M. Marine, M. G. Urner, W. D. 
Burchinal, J. Marshall Barry and Geo. L. Wellington. 


Biography of Philip Lenderking. 

Philip Lenderking was born in Fritzel, Hesse-Cassel, Germany, in the 
year 1845. In 1857, when a boy of 12 years, he came to this country with 
his parents, and took up his home in Baltimore. 

At the age of 18 years, he enlisted in Company G, 5th Maryland Regi¬ 
ment, and took part with the regiment in the battle of Antietam under Gen. 
Max Weber, and was wounded there. He served with this regiment under 
Gen. Milroy in the Valley campaign, in 1863. At the battle of Winchester 
he was taken prisoner. With the regiment he was with the army of the Po¬ 
tomac under Gen. Grant before Petersburg, at which place they were dis¬ 
charged. 

He went South in 1865 ; came back ; worked at the Mount Clare shops 
until 1869 ; then settled in Baltimore, and has since been engaged in the tin 
and sheet iron business. 

Mr. Lenderking has built up for himself a reputation, both commercially 
and socially, that reflects great credit upon himself. Possibly few men have 
a larger circle of acquaintances, who are tied to them by so strong a bond 
of friendship. He is cheerful in disposition and manner, and ever ready to 
do an act of kindness for a friend—and, indeed, for anyone. His devotion 
to his friends and family is such that is seldom seen among men. 



182 


Philip Lenderking. 

Mr. Lenderking is a member of Wilson Post, No. i, of the Departmen 
of Maryland G. A. R.; a willing contributor to the support of that Order, 
and thoroughly loyal to those with whom he has been in touch, and with 
whom he marched shoulder to shoulder in the defense of our great country. 



Biography of Charles A. Foster. 

The subject of our sketch was born in North East, Md., May 7, 1842, 
and attended the public schools of that town. At a very early age he was 
apprenticed to David Maxwell, of Baltimore, who conducted marble works 
at the corner of Eutaw and Saratoga streets. At the breaking out of the 
war in 1861 he paid a visit to his mother in North East, and while there the 
call was made for three years’ troops. He, with many of his old friends, 
who were boys together, concluded to enlist in Co. A of the Fifth Regiment 
of Maryland, which was the second company from that county, the first be¬ 
ing Company C of the Second Delaware. 

For the first nine months of service Comrade Foster was Third and 
then Second Sergeant, and First Sergeant during the remainder of the four 
years. He received two commissions, but would not be mustered out of 
his own company, participating in all the battles, marches and fatigues of 
his regiment for three continuous years of active service at the front, in old 
Virginia and West Virginia, never absent, except while on veteran furlough. 
He was mustered out of service with his regiment at Fredericksburg, Va. 
They went to Baltimore and were paid off and set at liberty. 




l *3 



Mr. Foster contracted the James River fever at Wilson’s Landing and 
for eighteen months after he was mustered out, he was unable to do work 
of any kind. The doctors forbid him to apply himself to his former busi¬ 
ness of marble working and advised him to try the business of steam boat¬ 
ing. He went on a steamer as a deck hand and then as a fireman, with the 
Baltimore Transportation Company plying from Baltimore to New York; with 
the Clyde Steamship Company, from New York to Wilmington, N. C.; with 
the Boston Steamship Company from New York to Boston; Electric Line 
from Wilmington to New York and with the Edge Moor Iron Company. 
He steadily advanced to the position of engineer and for twenty-two years 
had charge of engines. 

He entered into the printing businessin the employ of J. Miller Thomas. 
For three years he has been engaged in the publishing and job printing busi¬ 
ness. and during that time has edited the Old Soldier and Muster Roll, Grand 
Army and regimental papers. In January, 1893, he was appointed editor of 
the Local Preachers' Magazine. 

Mr. Foster has been very active in church work. He conducted mission 
work in Water street, New York City, holding weekly meetings; and also con- 
ducted Sabbath afternoon meetings in the Women’s Home, on Water street, 
known as the Boole Mission. He was a co-worker with A. W. Dennett and 
others in that line of work in a dark place, called “Kit Burns’ Rat-Pit,” in 
New York City, and was one of the principal workers in establishing the First 
M. E. Church, at Silverbrook, a suburb of Wilmington, Del. He is a mem¬ 
ber of Asbury M. E. Church, where he first deposited his certificate after his 
location in Wilmington. 







184 

Mr. Foster is also an active worker in the Grand Army of the Republic, 
and is a member of Thomas A. Smyth Post, No. I, Department of Dela¬ 
ware ; has served on a number of important committees and held responsi¬ 
ble positions; as aid-de-camp on staff, and a member of the Council of Ad¬ 
ministration of the Department of Delaware, and aid-de-camp on Gen. John 
A. Palmer's staff. He has also been an active member of the Union Vet¬ 
eran Legion, Encampment No. 34, having served as Chaplain for two years 
for that organization, as Assistant Inspector-General; is now an officer in 
the National Encampment; and was a delegate to the National Encamp¬ 
ment held in Indianapolis, Ind., in October, 1892. This comrade is a good 
citizen, and a useful Christian man. W. T. H. 



Fifth Maryland Regiment Monument. 


Reunion of the Fifth Maryland Regiment. 

The Fifth Maryland Regiment Monument was erected by the survivors 
of the regiment, aided by appropriations from the States of Maryland and 
Delaware. Co. I, of that regiment, was largely composed of men from 
Wilmington and vicinity, hence the Delaware appropriation to a Maryland 
regiment. The granting of this appropriation was largely due to the efforts 














of Col. John P. Donahoe; Speaker of the Senate ; Col. S. A. Macallister and 
Chas. A. Foster. 

The committee on the erection of the monument was as follows : Chair¬ 
man, Capt. Samuel Ford; Secretary, Chas. A. Foster; Treasurer, George 
W. McCullough. The office of treasurer was afterwards merged into the 
office of secretary, Comrade McCullough having resigned on account of 
press of business. 

Jesse West and Isaiah Biddle, of North East, Md.; Isaac D. Davis, 
Wm. G. Purnell and John B. Dunbar, of Elkton, Md., with the above named 
officers constituted the executive committee. The entire committee 
were ten from Companies A and I. 

Captain W. Purnell, the Clerk of the Senate of Maryland, and the com¬ 
mittee visited the Committee on Appropriation of the Senate of Maryland, 
and did what they could to have the appropriation approved. The measure 
was approved and passed both Houses, and Col. I. D. Davis, of Maryland, 
cashier of the Second National Bank of Elkton, was appointed by the State 
to be custodian of the appropriation and to dispose of it for the purpose it 
had been appropriated. He was appointed at the suggestion of Senator 
Wirt, and the choice was unanimously approved by the committee. 

By instruction of the Monument Association, the committee, through its 
chairman, purchased a lot at Antietam, and the right of way to it from the 
Sunken Road, where they had lost heavily in all of the companies in the battle 
there. 

The design of the monument decided upon by the committee origin¬ 
ated with Comrade Charles A. Foster. The shaft or die block is 5 feet 6 
inches high, 2 feet 3 inches square at the bottom, sloping a little at the top, 
forming a V. On the face of the four sides was cut the Coat of Arms of the 
State of Maryland, a Soldier at Charge, in the act of firing; also, a Stack of 
Arms. The base is 3 feet 8 inches square, 2 feet 6 inches high, with a cham- 
per of 4-inch fall from base of shaft, with raised letters on the front and the 
name of the company and regiment. It was executed by L. W. McGowen, 
Tenth and Tatnall streets, Wilmington, Del. The four bronze medallions 
were made by John Page & Son, designers and modelers, Philadelphia, Pa. 

The committee decided to run an excursion to Antietam battle grounds 
by way of Keedysville, Md., on September 17, 1890. A. special train was 
chartered, and tickets were issued good for three days with a stop off at 
Washington. Owing to very bad whether the committee lost heavily and 
the interest on the notes, which the committee was forced to give, made it a 
burden, latterly. 

A reunion of the veteran survivors of the Fifth Maryland Regiment 
was called to meet at the Wingate Post room, North East, Md., Thanksgiv¬ 
ing Day, 1890. It was not ns well attended as had been anticipated, but it 
was truly gratifying to see these old veterans after an absence of twenty- 
five years. Some had never seen each other since, and forgot that they 
were getting old, for a time, as they conversed about the old camp-fires of 
the war, and many incidents relating thereto. What was lacking in num¬ 
ber was made up in enthusiasm. 

There were present members from Cos. A, D, E, F, G and I, and sev¬ 
eral G. A. R. men of other regimental organizations from Wilmington ; Col. 
S. A. Macallister, 1st Del. and Dupont Post, No. 2; Major Chas. M. Pierce, 
Smyth Post, No. 1; Thomas Heap, 8th Md., Smyth Post, No. 1; Prof. Weil, 
U. S. Grant Post 13; Wm. J. Boyer, Co. I, 5th Md. Regt.; Jas. M. Ban- 
them, Co. E, 5th Md. Regt., and a delegation of five ladies from the 
Woman’s Relief Corps, No. 1, Department of Delaware. 

Secretary Ch&s. A. Foster called the meeting to order at 2.30 p. m., 
and named Comrade John A. Brown, Co. C, of Carroll county, for chair¬ 
man. Comrade Henry O’Neal, Co. D, of Havre de Grace, was made vice- 


i8 6 


chairman. A lengthy and detailed report was read by the secretary in re¬ 
gard to the erection of the Antietam monument. Interest money was con¬ 
tributed, and the special business transacted for which the meeting was 
called. 

It was decided to call a meeting of the survivors ot the regiment to be 
held in Baltimore in January, 1892, and in order to have a large attendance 
assured the following committee on arrangement was appointed : Depart¬ 
ment Commander, Geo. R. Graham; Chas. A. Foster, Co. A.; JohnM. Jenks, 
Co. B.; J. A. Brown, Co. C.; Henry O’Neal, Co. D.; James Banthem, Co. E.; 
Chas. Rotan, Co. F.; Solomon Thompson, Co. G.; John W. Worth, Co. H.; 
I. D. Davis, Co. I.; Philip H. Lenderking, Co. G. 

The visitors adjourned to the hall below, where the ladies of the Relief 
Corps of Wingate Post had an excellent supper in waiting for them. 

The evening session was opened by singing “America ” followed with 
prayer, led by Mrs. A. Beatty, of Wilmington. Colonel Macallister, who 
was a member of the First Delaware Regiment, made a spirited address, in 
which he spoke of the. patriotism of the Border States that kept back the tide 
of Rebellion, and contributed much towards its suppression. Professor 
Weil, of Post 13, Wilmington, Del., congratulated the Fifth Maryland boys 
for their monumental undertaking, and said, from what he knew of the rec¬ 
ord of the regiment, it was eminently deserving the honor. Dr. Worrall was 
called for, and made an eloquent speech about the trials and sufferings of the 
boys in blue, and said the nation owed them a lasting debt of gratitude. 
Rev. J. B. Quigg followed in some very entertaining reminiscences, and 
Rev. E. K. Miller made a patriotic speech. Captain Thompson, Co. G ; 
Captain O’Neal, Co. D ; Corporal Philip Layman, Co. A , Comrade Isaiah 
Biddle, Co, A; Comrade James Banthem, Co. E; Comrade Jesse West, 
Co. A, were each called upon and responded in a happy manner. While 
“ Auld Lang Syne ” was being sung, the members of the regiment held one 
another by the hand. After the singing of the doxology, the benediction 
was pronounced by Chaplain Miller, and the meeting adjourned. 

At the meeting in Baltimore, a temporary regimental organization was 
effected, and Capt. Wm. A. Noel was elected chairman and Chas. A. Fos¬ 
ter, secretary. This meeting adjourned to meet on the Antietam battle 
field. 

During the following winter, 1891, the Delaware Legislature came to 
the aid of the association by appropriating $200, and in the winter of 1892 the 
Maryland Legislature wiped out the outstanding debt by contributing $530. 

On September 17, 1891, the committee gave another excursion to the 
Antietam battle fields by the way of Harper’s Ferry, Shenandoah Junction 
and Sharpsburg, Md., (Antietam Station.) 

This excursion was attended by two hundred persons from Wilmington 
and various points on the line of the B & O. railroad. They left Market 
street station, Wilmington, shortly after 6 o'clock on a special tr^in of six 
coaches and a baggage car, which served as a lunch car. 

Among them were prominent officers of the State ot Delaware, Speaker 
of the Senate Donahoe, Speaker of the House Sirman, State Treasurer Wil¬ 
bur H. Burnite, Receiver of Taxes John T. Dickey, City Tax Collector J. J. 
Mealy, Col. Macallister, ex-Mayor Wales, Dr. Shortlidge, Comrade Wm. R. 
Long, of the Republican , and George Carter, of the Evening Journal; Past 
Department Commander Ross, George Ash, of Wilmington; Col. J. C. Hill, 
Department Commander of Maryland; Past Department Commander of 
Maryland Dr. Geo. R. Graham, Assistant Quartermaster-General John W. 
Worth, of Maryland; Frank Nolen, Commander Dushane Post, No. 2, of Bal¬ 
timore; Colonel I. D. Davis, of Elkton; Captain Samuel Ford, of Wash¬ 
ington, D. C.; Capt. Schroeder, of York, Pa.; Capt. Noel, of Baltimore; Gen. 
Armstrong and J. H. Griffith, of Newark, Del. At North East sixty-three 



i&7 

persons boarded the train. Among them were some of the prominent busi¬ 
ness men of the town—Dr. Charles Beatty. Col. Samuel Reader and son; 
John Anderson, dry goods merchant; S. D. McCullough, proprietor of the 
exchange and livery stables; Sergeant Biddle, Sergeant J. West and others. 

They arrived at Antietam station at twenty minutes past one o’clock, 
having been delayed at the junction. Here hacks were in waiting, as well 
as dinner. The little town was filled with pleasure-seekers, and decorations 
of bunting and flags were profuse. 

The regiments that had been located there and which were represented 
on this occasion were the 108th N. Y., 4th N. Y„ 124th Pa., 130th Pa., 14th 
Conn., 1st Del., and 5th Md. Many reminiscences were related; many a 
thrilling story was told by the boys of that remarkable battle; many for the 
first time clasped hands since the war and many met for the first time. Past 
Department Commander Graham kindly mentioned that the reunions were 
not places to drink rum, and for a general good time in that way, but better 
things than that must be observed to be productive ot good, not only seri¬ 
ous but sacred in memory to the fallen comrade and the living suffering 
comrade, the widow and the orphan. In observing this it would not only 
bring gladness to the hearts of the comrades, but make sunshine in the 
hearts of those whom the fallen hero has left behind, and those of the living 
suffering comrades among us. These remarks were endorsed by all the 
comrades. The practical hints of Capt. Ford, the sound reasoning of Capt. 
Schroeder and the resolution and practical common sense explanation of 
them by Dr. Goldsborough were well worthy of consideration. The battle¬ 
field on which the regiments suffered such heavy loss was to them not only 
historic but sacred, and now that the monument was erected there it had 
become more than ever a precious spot to the survivors of the old Federal 
Fifth Md. Regiment. 

The day was spent in rambling over these historic grounds and recount¬ 
ing incidents and battle scenes. The memory of the comrades located the 
spot where they were wounded and lost their limbs. Some of the boys ate 
lunch and boiled coffee on the ground where they encamped and fought 29 
years before. 

The ladies of Sharpsburg decorated the 5th Md. Monument and pre¬ 
sented the State Treasurer with a bouquet. 

The i32d had a flag presentation at Sharpsburg, Md., and held exceed¬ 
ingly interesting exercises. The 3rd brigade held a re-union in the evening 
at the same place. 

The following resolution was offered by Comrade Goldsborough, and 
seconded by Comrades Schroeder, Graham, Worth and O’Neill. 

Resolved, That we endorse the action of Companies A and I, in erecting 
the monument now on the field. 

Unanimously adopted. 

After the collection of dues, the organization adjourned. 

The following officers were elected at this meeting to serve for the ensu¬ 
ing year: President, Major H. G. Graham ; Vice-Presidents, Isaiah Biddle, 
John N. Jenks, Wm. Mangold, Henry O’Neill, Chas. W. Banthem, Joseph 
E. Sweet, Sol. S. Thompson, John W. Worth; Secretary, Captain Wm. A. 
Noel; Treasurer, Chas. A. Foster; Sergeant of the Guard, Henry Streib. 

At night a brigade camp-fire was held in Sharpsburg. A number of the 
Fifth Maryland, accompanied by their wives, after visiting the National 
Cemetery, took hacks for Keedysville, three and a-half miles from the bat¬ 
tlefield. ' They stopped all night at the Wyand House. The ladies that 
went with their husbands were Mrs. H. O’Neill, Mrs. L. Sitzler and Mrs. C. 
A. Foster. Mrs. Foster was accompanied by her son, Walter, and her 
sister, Miss E. A. Morris. 


i88 


At night after supper, Mr. Wyand gave them the use of his parlor, 
where they held a camp fire. Miss Wyand presided at the organ. Com¬ 
rade Chas. W. Banthem was called to the chair. Comrade Noel related 
the experiences of his prison life in Libby Prison, in a most entertaining 
manner. Comrades O’Neill, Sitzler, Lambert, Banthem, Foster and others 
related their experiences, and spent the evening with pleasure and profit 
after the camp fire. Mrs. Sitzler played the organ, and all joined in the 
chorus "Marching Through Georgia.” 

Next morning, after breakfast, they started for Sharpsburg, Harper s 
Ferry and Washington, D. C. The important points along the route are 
Sugar Loaf Mountain, Point of Rocks, Maryland Heights, Loudon Heights, 
Sandy Hook, Harper’s Ferry and Bolivar Heights. 

Some of the veterans were interested in the route they marched over 
twenty-nine years before, from Washington, D. C. Then the First Dela¬ 
ware, Fifth Maryland and Fourth New York regiments were brigaded to¬ 
gether and marched to Antietam by the way of Monocacy, Frederick City, 
Middletown, Boonsboro and Keedysville, Md. They laid out all night in 



“Preparing Supper,” 


camp just outside of Keedysville. The Adjutant of the First Delaware was 
wounded by a shell. Next morning, the brigade forded the creek and drove 
the rebel pickets in and then the fight began. 

On our march, one John Alexander, of Chesapeake City, Md., a mem¬ 
ber of Co. A, Fifth Maryland Regiment, dreamed that he would be killed on 
the 17th of September, and he was the second man killed that day. 

When we came to Monocacy Bridge, on a branch of the B. & O. Rail¬ 
road, we encamped for the night. Being without fresh food, and, in fact, 
without food of any kind, and feeling ourselves at home in Maryland, we 
sought, in true army style, to borrow some delicacies from our citizens—so 
we did. 

In the days of the Monitor and the Merrimac, in 1862, the First Dela¬ 
ware Regiment was stationed at Camp Hamilton, at Fortress Monroe, or 
rather between that and the old Hampton village, which was destroyed, 
and the Fifth Maryland Regiment was stationed at Newport News. 





189 


t 


















































































































































































190 



ist DEL., 5th MD. AND 4 th N. Y. REGIMENTS, 3D BRIGADE FORDING ANTIETAM CREEK. 

































































































Col. A. H. Hyatt, chief musician of the First Delaware at that time, 
tells an amusing story of the pilgrimage of the Merrimac before the Monitor 



checked her in her mad career, and how he got wounded at Camp Hamil¬ 
ton. The First Delaware Regiment was among the troops that took posses¬ 
sion of Norfolk. The Fifth Maryland Regiment was sent to Camp Hamilton 
to relieve them, and remained there until they were ordered to Washington 
to fight the battle of Antietam. 

After McClellan’s army made a move from Bolivar Heights the Fifth 
Maryland was detached from the Third Brigade, Third Division of Second 
Army Corps, and did guard duty at Harper’s Ferry, Maryland Heights and 
along the B. & O. railroad, with headquarters at Point of Rocks In June, 
’63, they were ordered up to Winchester under General Milroy, when Gen. 
Lee made his second invasion into Maryland. Gen. Ewell gave battle to 
Gen. Milroy, who commanded the Federal forces. The Sixth Maryland 
was also there. Upon the arrival of the Fifth Maryland Regiment the 
Eighteenth Connecticut Regiment made them some nice hot coffee and 
served it to them, and the Quartermaster had prepared some nice hot bread 
for them which was heartily enjoyed by the soldiers. This reception made 
these regiments good friends, and the Fifth Maryland Regiment has an open 
hand and a warm heart for the Eighteenth Connecticut. 

After two days’ hard fighting, Gen. Milroy, fearing that he was being 
hemmed in, attempted to cut his way out, and met with considerable loss, 
but succeeded in getting away with most of his command. He, however, 
lost the most, if not all, of his artillery, and two or.three regiments of in¬ 
fantry. The major part of the Fifth Maryland was taken prisoners. After 
they were paroled they were sent to Brandywine Springs; then taken to Fort 
Delaware. After they were exchanged, they were taken to the front of 
Petersburg, Va. In the latter part of 1864, after the fight at that place, they 
were sent to the north side of the James river, at a place known as Chapin’s 
Farm. 

From losses and from discharge of those whose term of service had 
expired, there was scarcely one-third of the original number left. They 
settled down to build winter quarters and bomb-proofs, whether they would 
be allowed the privilege of staying there or not. That was the only sure 
way of getting what they needed. 

When an order came to make an attack on the right of the line, their 
division was ordered to make the attack, and did severe fighting. They 
were repulsed at Fair Oaks when the brigade charged the rebel line of 





















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CAMP SCENE, OF THE FIFTH MARYLAND 







































































*95 



Army Huts at Chatin’s Farm. 

works. Three out of the five regiments lost their cofors, but the Fifth Mary¬ 
land retained theirs, although their color bearers were shot down by the 
sharpshooters, as fast as they could be set up. Amid the rain of shot and 
shell they went into that fight with three hundred active men, and came 
out and stacked arms at camp with only eighty-seven muskets. 

After this fight they were recruited up to over a thousand strong. They 
were among the first to go into Richmond on the third of April. 

After doing duty along the James river, with headquarters at Newport 
News, and along the Rappahannock river, with headquarters at Fredericks¬ 
burg, Va., they were mustered out of service at the latter place in Septem¬ 
ber, 1865. 



Libby Prison. 

Reminiscences of Thomas H. Peters, Junior Yice Commander 
U. S. Grant Post, No. 13. 

Personal Experiences of Thomas H. Peters, Musicianer Co. H, 
Second Delaware Volunteers, Who Was Captured Octo¬ 
ber 14, 1863, and Was Released April 27, 1865. 

I was captured near Bristol Station, Va., on Meade’s retreat from the 











Rapidan, and fared well by the men that captured me. We were three days 
on the march before we reached Libby Prison, in Richmond, Va. One day’s 
rations were issued for the whole three days. About six hundred of us went 
into Richmond about dark, and were placed in the prison. There were 
already 3,000 prisoners in Libby at the time. The 600 new ones drew rations 
that night. The rest of the prisoners made a raid on them, so we had a big 
fight and no rations. I staid in Libby three days, and went from there to Bell 
Island; was there four weeks; taken back to Richmond sick with measles; 
was eleven days in the hospital; went from there to Castle Thunder, and, 
after one night in that place, started for Andersonville. Five days were spent 
on the cars, with 113 prisoners in each box-car. Thirteen men died in my 
car. We reached Andersonville about 9 o’clock in the evening. This was 
the first squad that entered that prison, and there were no tents or shelter of 
any kind to protect us from rain and bad weather. Corn-meal and pork were 
issued for rations. One-half pint of corn-meal and about three ounces of 
pork constituted one day’s rations. 

The second night after arriving there I made my escape with two com¬ 
rades; thirteen miles from prison we were recaptured by bloodhounds and 
taken back to Captain Wurz’s headquarters. He swore at us for about a 
half an hour, telling us it was our privilege to make our escape and his to 
capture us. We were given an extra ration to encourage us to behave our¬ 
selves, and sent back into the prison. The second night after this, I joined 
a crowd of thirteen and started a tunnel to undermine the stockade, with the 
mouth of the hole towards freedom. We dug six weeks at night, but before 
our purpose was accomplished we were betrayed by one of our fellow-prison¬ 
ers for a plug of tobacco. When the betrayer was last seen he was sliding 
off a wheel-house on board of a boat coming from Jacksonville, Florida, to 
Annapolis. 

New and old prisoners were arriving daily, numbering up to between 
12,000 and 15,000; the weather was becoming very warm and the stench of 
the camp was terrible. Men were dying at the rate of over twenty per day, 
and death stared everyone in the face. Men were coming in daily whose 
time of service, three years, had^almost expired, and coming into this dread¬ 
ful place laid down and died. Men who had served faithfully in the front 
from the first of the war up to this time and whose misfortune it was to be 
captured; men who should have been exchanged or paroled, and been at 
home with their families. 

New prisoners still came in, and the stockade had to be enlarged, which 
already covered about eighteen acres. All the filth from this amount of 
men remained in camp with us; no night carts, nor anything of the kind 
was removed. The death-rate was increasing terribly. Water was scarce 
and very poor at that. Lice and innumerable fleas abounded. 

Captain Wurz went away on business, and we were glad of it. Another 
man was shot. Some Southern ladies came down to pay us a visit, and 
stood upon the steps of the guard-house, with Rebel flags in their hands, and 
made fun of us ‘ God-forsaken Yankees,” as they called us. Some of the 
boys spoke roughly to them, and they went away quickly. It was the only 
time we had seen the face of a woman for about nine months. 

An old citizen came into camp and wanted each man to write a letter 
to his folks in the North, and said he would post them all. We did not ac¬ 
cept. We had no writing material, and would not have written if we had. 
We would rather stay there and die than to desert our flag or aid or assist 
in doing it in any way. 

Twenty-four men went out on an oath of allegiance to the Rebel cause, 
to dig Yankee graves and bury the dead. We hung six of our own men, 
who were guilty of raiding on the rations and killing five of their fellow 


*97 

prisoners in the raid. We did not allow them to be buried in our burying 
ground. 

Becoming afraid of Sherman, prisoners were taken out to be exchanged 
or paroled but landed in another bull-pen ; some at Millen and some at Sa¬ 
vannah. There was another call for men and so I bade good-bye to Ander- 
sonville and soon found myself in a bull-pen at Savannah, with better ra¬ 
tions and better quarters. 

Capt. Davis’ dog being killed and eaten, rations were stopped for the 
whole camp until the dog was found. I ate a part of him myself and wished 
I had more. The boys would rather have dog meat than mule meat re¬ 
christened “beef.” We were five days without rations. Two men made 
their escape but were re-captured and brought back. 

Report reached us of Davis being captured and being at Fort Dela¬ 
ware. We'hoped he would stay there. After two months here we left for 
Blackshire ; two days later moved again for Thomasville ; got to Thomas- 
ville at dark in a heavy rain ; had plenty of wood and six inches of water 
to lie down in. We then started for Albany, Ga., and were four days on 
the march. We staid all night in camp and took the cars in the morning, 
not knowing our destination. It was dark and raining hard and when we 
got off the cars we found ourselves in Andersonville again. 

Christmas Eve, 1864. Oh ! where is my stocking ? Look down on my 
bony legs and see I have none. In April I will be 19 years old. We had 
to run all night to keep from freezing—no wood, no shelter, a little snow and 
considerable rain. 

Nine men dug a hole in a bank to sleep in. The bank caved in and 
killed all of them. Almost 7000 men were in camp now. 

We staid here two weeks and then moved again. We went to Savan¬ 
nah, and from there to Blackshire again ; then on to Lake City. We laid in 
the woods, and my comrade was shot dead for stepping over a stake nine 
inches high ; his name was Jacob Eastly, of the nth Regulars. 

I went out to help bury my dead comrade. I determined to make a 
break for liberty that night or die in the attempt; got 300 yards from the 
camp and was captured. Received no punishment, for the captain of the 
guard liked me, and he gave me extra rations. 

The rations were stopped in camp because one of the rebels’ camp ket¬ 
tle had been stolen and some Yankee knew where it was. A bushel of 
sweet potatoes or Georgia yams, and no punishment, was given to the one 
giving up the kettle. 

We started back once more for Blackshire. A rebel guard went over¬ 
board in the Blackshire river. A Yankee was blamed for it, but the rebels 
don’t know he is missing yet. A half an ear of Corn was given to each man 
as rations for two days. We got as far as Savannah and had to go back 
again to Blackshire, down to Thomasville and on to Lake City, where we 
staid a week in camp. Here the report of President Lincoln’s assassination 
reached us. We drew rations there, the first we had had for three days. A 
rebel guard shot an alligator in the swamp. We begged the captain to let 
us have it, and found it good. 

The camp was getting in a terrible condition ; rations were cut short; 
men were becoming sick, averaging 260 deaths per day. From 35,000 to 
39,000 men were in the camp at this time. 

Captain Wurz made the brag that he was killing more men here than 
Gen. Lee was at the front. Becoming frightened for fear the prisoners 
would make a break for liberty, Capt. Wurz swore he would shoot grape 
and cannister into the camp as long as he saw a Yankee kicking, if they 
made an attempt to break out. 

There was no wood in the camp and my comrade and I went with a 


198 

Rebel guard after it, and we had to carry in enough on our shoulders for 800 
men for three days. We had to help carry out the dead. 

We laid down in a dead man’s place, pretending to be dead, and got 
our comrades to carry us out to the brush dead-house, were we staid until 
dark when we escaped as far as the outside guards, who captured us and 
took us back. 

Hot weather setting in, we began to feel sick and disheartened. Thirty- 
eight men, who were taken prisoners the same day as I was, had died. The 
corn-meal had turned against me, and I could not eat it. I sat upon a 
stump thinking whether I would make another break that night or die in 
prison I had heard no news from the army at all, and did not know any¬ 
thing about how the war was going. I had almost given up hopes of ever 
getting home alive. 

Orders came to fall in and march out to the railroad. We expected to 
land in another “bull-pen.” We were soon on our way to Baldwin, Fla.; 
were two days on the road, and reached there at sunset. We were ordered 
to fall in line—the Major wanted to talk to us. He told us that we were 
“at liberty,” and that our road was clear to Jacksonville. He ordered the 
guards back, and we boys made a break, and away we went like a flock of 
sheep. It was 18 miles to our lines, and we traveled on an old railroad 
line, which had been torn up and left so for three years; the cross-ties were 
lying in all positions; briers had grown up; bottom of the road was covered 
with sand burrs, and not a shoe on a foot of any of the 7,000 men, and 
scarcely clothes to cover us, for they were the same we had when captured. 
We had none served us, nor had we any means of procuring any. 

We reached our lines about 3:30 o’clock the next morning. The first five 
men who entered the Union lines were General Hinckson and Samuel 
Thomlinson, 8th Pa. Cavalry; Lyman Warren, 8th Michigan Cavalry ; 
Charles Skilling, 1st Maine Cavalry and myself. We were halted by 
the outposts. The officer of the guard called, examined us, and found 
to a certainty that we were Union prisoners. He took us inside the lines, 
made all preparations for our cpmfort, and ordered rations to be brought 
from Jacksonville immediately for our relief. 

The men kept coming in all night in small groups, those who were at 
all able to walk. At day-break there was a detail sent out with wagon 
trains to bring in the sick and those who were not able to march through, 
which I judge would number over one-half the 7,000. It was two days be¬ 
fore we found that there was a great number dead. 

All the troops of that section at that time were colored troops, com¬ 
manded by white officers. There was nothing that they could do for our 
comfort and welfare that they left undone. They not only divided their last 
bit of hardtack, but also took from their knapsacks articles of clothing for 
our needy comrades. The officers and men did all that lay in their power 
to aid us. We were held in a body just inside the picket line, and all that 
could walk through came and joined us. It was about three-quarters of a 
mile from this place to Jacksonville, and an open plain lie before us. On 
the first morning of our arrival the camps down near Jacksonville came out 
with a drum corps and run up the old flag on a pole, and as she swung out 
to the breeze such cheers and shouts that came from these old warriors and 
prisoners for that dear old flag, which some of them had not seen for nearly 
two years, I never heard before or since. Men who were not able to stand 
would raise up on one elbow to show a token of love, and repeat that through 
all their anguish and sufferings they had not forgotten their affection for the 
old flag. Tears came to the eyes of many brave men there that morning, 
and I do not believe there was a man who would not have been willing to 
have undergone again the suffering through which he had been, before he 
would see one star lost from his country’s flag. 


i 9 9 


We had to wait until our clothing came from Hilton Head. The camp 
was formed on left side of the stream. Tents and straw were provided for 
us, and more rations than we could dispose of. In three days after we came 
through four hundred and thirty men died; the majority of deaths was 
caused from over-eating. 

On Sunday afternoon colored troops turned out to serenade us. Speeches 
were made by the chaplain and officers, who requested us to carry our rags 
home with us, saying they would be an honor to us as long as we lived. 

We got ready for our new clothing. A new camp was formed on the 
opposite side of the stream a quarter of a mile below, and a long row of 
seats were fixed where we were to be shaved and have our hair cut by a 
colored man. Men stood in the middle of the creek ready to wash us as 
we walked in. On the opposite shore there was a new suit of clothes for 
each man; opposite to that were new tents, new blankets and new 
straw. Thank God for the change. In that one week in Jacksonville 
men died at the rate of ten per day. 

A report came that we were to leave Jacksonville on the morrow. We 
had made great friends with a Presbyterian minister, his wife and daughter, 
so when transports arrived we were sorry to leave our new acquaintances 
and the many old friends who had suffered with us in prison life. We 
started for Annapolis and were out in a big thunder storm and were afraid 
we would not get home. However, we arrived safely with the loss of only 
one man who happened to be the same man who betrayed our scheme of 
digging the tunnel in Andersonville, and possibly the little Irishman who 
vowed vengeance at the time knows something about the loss of this one. 

In Wilmington, Del., I met my father and told him who I was. At 
first he did not know me, but recognized my laugh. He rejoiced in finding 
his lost boy and started me for home. 

We live to try to forgive, but we can’t forget. 

Robert Hanna, the color bearer of the Second Delaware, Co. F, was 
captured in the Summer of ’64, on the line from Cold Harbor to Petersburg, 
and when he found he was captured, he tore the flag from the staff and put 
it in his bosom. When we were in prison we used to get it out and look at 
it occasionally, and draw comfort and consolation from it. I have a piece of 
that flag in my possession at the present time. 


A Concert in Libby Prison. 

While the Union soldiers were in Libby Prison, they determined; despite 
their sufferings, to get up a concert. Taking old blankets they made cur¬ 
tains for the stage performances and got six old black bottles and placed 
candles in them for footlights. They got the Richmond Inquirer to print 
programmes and paid them two hundred dollars in Confederate money. 
The following is a fac simile of the programme: 

THE LIBBY PRISON MINSTRELS. 


Manager,.Lt. G. W. Chandler 

Treasurer,.Capt. H. W. Sawyer 

Costumer,.Lt. J. P. Jones 

Scenic Artist, ...Lt. Fentress 

Captain of the Supers.Lt. Bristow 

-o- 


Thursday Evening, December 24th, 1863. 
PROGRAMME. 

PART FIRST. 


Overture “Norma” 


Troupe 










200 


Opening Chorus, “Ernani,”.. . ..Troupe 

Song, Who Will Care for Mother Now,.. Capt. Schell 

Song, Grafted in the Army, . ...Lt. Kendall 

Song, When the Bloom is on the Rye,.. Adj. Lombard 

Song, Barn-yard Imitations,.. Capt. Mass • 

Song, Do They Think of Me at Home, ... Adj. Jones 

Chorus, Phantom, ..Troupe 


-o-- 

PART SECOND. 

Duet, Violin and Flute, Serenade from “Lucia,” Lts. Chandler and Rockwell 

Song and Dance, Root Hog or Die, ..Capt. Mass 

Banjo Solo, ... Lt. Thomas 

Duet, Dying Girl’s Last Request.. Adjts. Jones and Lombard 

Magic Violin...Capts. Mass, Chandler and Kendall 

Song, My Father’s Custom,...Lt. McCaulley 

Clog Dance, ....Lieut. Ryan 


RIVAL LOVERS. 

Joe Skimmerhorn,...... Capt. Mass 

George Iverson,...Lt. Randolph 


o- 


PART THIRD. 

COUNTRYMAN IN A PHOTOGRAPH GALLERY. 

Proprietor,...Capt. Mass 

Boy,...Lt. Randolph 

Countryman, ...Maj. Neiper 

*-o- 


MASQUERADE BALL. 

Manager.. 

Door Keeper,... 

Musician, . .. 

Member of the Press, ... . .. 

Mose, . .. 

Black Swan, .. 

Broadway Swell, . 

Richard III,. 


, . . . Adj. Jones 
. . . Capt. Mass 
. . . Lt. Chandler 
. . . . Lt. Ryan 
. . . . Lt. Welsh 
. . . . Lt. Moran 
. . . . Lt. Bennet 
Capt. McWilliams 


The whole to conclude with a 
A GRAND WALK AROUND. 
-o- 

Performance to commence at 6 o’clock. 
-o- 


Admission Free, - - - Children in arms not admitted. 


-o- 


Adjt. R. C, KNAGGS, Business Agent. 







































201 


Mother May I Go? 

[A letter written by a young man to his mother asking permission to 
enlist. It was written in February, 1862.] 

I am writing to you, mother, knowing well what you will say, 

When you read with fearful fondness what I write to you to-day. 

Knowing well the flame of ardor on a loyal mother’s part 

That will kindle, with each impulse, with each throbbing of your heart, 

I have heard my country calling for her sons that still are true, 

I have loved that country, mother, next to God and you ; 

And my soul is springing forward to resist her bitter foe ; 

Can I go, my dearest mother ? Tell me, mother, can I go ? 

From the battered walls of Sumter, from the wild waves of the sea, 

I have heard her cry for succor, as the voice of God to me. 

In prosperity I loved her—in her days of dark distress, 

With your spirit in me, mother, could I love that country less? 

They have pierced her heart with treason, they have caused her sons to bleed, 
They have robbed her in her kindness, they have triumphed in her need. 

They have trampled on her standard and she calls me in her woe : 

Can I go, my dearest mother ? Tell me, mother, can I go ? 

I am young and slender, mother—they would call me yet a boy, 

But I know the land I live in, and the blessings I enjoy, 

I am old enough, my mother, to be loyal, proud and true 
To the faithful sense of duty I have ever learned from you. 

We must conquer this rebellion, let the doubting heart be still; 

We must conquer it or perish. We must conquer, and we will. 

But the faithful must not falter, and shall I be wanting? No ! 

Bid me go, my dearest mother, tell me, mother, may I go ? 

He who led the chosen people in their effort to be free 
From the tyranny of Egypt will be merciful to me, 

Will protect me by His power whatso’er I undertake, 

Will return me home in safety, dearest mother, for your sake. 

Or should this, my bleeding country, need a victim such as me, 

I am nothing more than others who have perished to be free. 

On her bosom let me slumber, on her altar let me lie. 

I am not afraid, my mother, in so good a cause to die. 

There will come a day of gladness, when the people of the Lord 
Shall look proudly on their banner which His mercy has restored, 

When the stars in perfect number, on their azure field of blue, 

Shall be clustered in a Union, then and ever firm and true. 

I may live to see it, mother, when the patriot’s work is done 
And your heart, so full of kindness, will beat proudly for your son, 

Or through tears your eyes may see it with a sadly thoughtful view, 

And may love it still more dearly for the cost it won from you. 

I have written to you, mother, with a consciousness of right ; 

I am thinking of you fondly with a loyal heart to-night; 

When I have your noble bidding, which shall tell me to press on, 

I will come and kiss you, mother, come and kiss you and begone. 

In the sacred name of freedom and my country as her due. 

In the name of law and justice I have written this to you. 

I am eager, anxious, longing to resist my country’s foe. 

Shall I go, my dearest mother ? Tell me, mother, shall I go ? 


Delaware Monuments at Gettysburg. 

When the Delaware Legislature passed a joint resolution on April 9, 
1885, which authorized the appointment of committees to locate and erect 
monuments showing what positions the Delaware troops occupied in the 
great battles at Gettysburg, in July, 1863, the State very generously and fit- 



202 



tingly recognized the valor of her soldiers on that battlefield. Under the 
provisions of this act, Major % John T. Dent, Captain J. Parke Postles and 
Lieutenant John M. Dunn, of the First Regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel Peter 
McCullough, Surgeon PhilipH. Plunkett, and Lieut. Wm. H. Brady, of the 
Second Regiment; and the Legislative Committee—Enoch Moore, S. D. 
Roe, Wm. H. Cooper, M. D., T. F. Armstrong and James Virden—visited 
Gettysburg June 18, 1885, and selected proper sites for the monuments. 
The site for the First Regiment was chosen just on the left of the Bryan 
House, where the Confederates converged and their columns overlapped in 
the desperate charge ot July 3, 1863. It was at this place the troops led the 
counter-charge, which destroyed the rebel columns and practically ended 
the battle. A point beyond the Bliss House was selected as a place for the 
tablet to mark the most advanced position of the regiment on July 2d. 

A site for the monument of the Second Regiment was chosen near the 
Rose House, the extreme left and front of the Union Army, July 2d, when 
Brook’s brigade made a gallant charge to that point. The tablet was 
placed in front of the J. Hammerbach House, where the Second Regiment 
was also engaged on July 2d. 

The monuments were made of Brandywine blue stone, so abundant in 
the northern part of New Castle County, and were constructed by Thomas 
Davidson, of Wilmington. The form of the monument of the Second Reg¬ 
iment is similiar to that of the First Regiment, of which illustration is given. 
The lower base is four feet six inches square and the monument stands 
seven feet six inches high. 

The monuments were appropriately dedicated June 10, 1886, when the 
foregoing committees and a number of representative citizens proceeded to 
Gettysburg on that mission. On behalf of the First Delaware, Lieu. John 






















203 


M. Dunn, color sergeant of that regiment, recited the part the troops took 
in that battle, and Adjutant Wm. H. Brady performed a similar duty for 
the Second Regiment. The Hon. Enoch Moore delivered the monuments 
to the Battle Field MemorialjAssociation, into the membership of which the 
State by this act entered. * A stirring address was also delivered by the 
Hon. Geo. V. Massey. The cost to the State to thus perpetuate the loyalty 
and the heroism of her sons, was $2,000. 
























204 

Soldiers’ Homes. 

Among the many noble acts of ex-President Lincoln was his approval 
and signing of a bill, on March 3, 1865, providing for the creating of that 
magnificent monument to the memory of the volunteer soldiers of the United 
States—The National Soldiers’ Home. The bill was approved before the 
surrender of Lee at Appomattox. 

Beside approving the bill for the founding of the Home, Lincoln gave 
munificently to increase the necessary proviso fund. The list of in¬ 
corporators numbered one hundred men, and among the names 
were the most illustrious in American history and in the history 
of the world to-day. There were Sherman and Grant, Farragut, 
Hamlin, Chase, Stanton, Bancroft, Logan, Morton, Butler, Banks, 
Beecher, Meade, Hooker and Greeley, not one of whom is left. All 
have gone over to the silent majority. Among others were Andrew John¬ 
son, William B. Astor, John A. Andrew, Richard Oglesby, Carl Schurz, 
William M. Evarts, Jay Cook, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Bishop Simpson, 
William Henry Channing and John W. Forney. Many of these have also 
passed out of time, though their names will live forever in history. 

This home was for disabled soldiers who fought in the Union Army, 
those who were enfeebled both in mind and body. By an act of Congress 
the mariners were given separate maintenance, and the name was changed 
to the “National Military Asylum.” The Central Branch, or first barracks, 
was located at Dayton, O., in 1867. Since then the title of the institution 
has been changed again to “National Soldiers’ Home,” and its inmates now 
include “all United States Soldiers of any war who are incapable of earning 
a living, whether the incapacity resulted from their service or not.” 

There are now seven Soldiers’ Homes, viz:—The Dayton, O., Home ; 
Togus,(Me.,) Home; Leavenworth,(Kans.,) Home; Milwaukee Home; Hamp- 
ton(Va.,) Home; Santa Monica,(Cal.,) Home and the Marion,(Ind.,) Home. 
These buildings are large and comfortable and surrounded by beautiful 
grounds. The soldiers are as well cared for as they would be by their own 
firesides. 

At Washington, D. C., is a Soldiers’ Home, for soldiers of the Regular 
Army. The founding of it was largely due to Gen. Winfield Scott, who, dur¬ 
ing the war with Mexico, levied on the City of Mexico for $300,000 pillage 
money. Of this amount $118,791 remained in the Treasury, and was appro¬ 
priated to aid in the establishment of the Home, The sum was augmented 
by fines, forfeitures and stoppages against soldiers, and a tax of twenty-five 
cents (now twelve cents) a month on each private soldier. At present the 
fund has reached the sum of $800,000, and the government holds over $1,- 
000,000 derived from forfeitures of pay of deserters from the army, and from 
money due deceased soldiers which has remained unclaimed. 

The first institution of this character was the Hotel des Invalides, in 
Paris, built during Louis XIV reign, in 1670; for a home for worn-out sol¬ 
diers, to be maintained at the expense of the nation. 

There was a home erected at Chelsea, near London, in 1609, and one 
at Greenwich, England, in 1694. 


The Mother’s Reply. 

[answer to poem entitled “mother, MAY I GO?”] 

Go, my boy, and Heaven bless you ! I have read each precious line 
Of your heart’s responsive throbbings to a higher call than mine. \ 

God hath spoken—you have heard him—and though tears these eyes bedim, 
Your affection for your mother shall not mar your love for Him. 



205 


Could I bid you stay from fondness, when the overruling Hand 
Marks your path to duty clearly, for the safety of your land? 

No ! ’tis yours to be a patriot, and ’tis mine to prove as true ; 

Go, my boy, where duty calls you, and my heart shall follow you ! 

Go in faith, and feel protection in a Power supreme, divine ; 

Should a bullet pierce your body, it will also enter mine 
Do I think of this in sorrow? Does my love sad fear renew? 

Do I tremble at the prospect ? No, my son, no more than you. 

Dear to me is every pathway where you precious feet have trod, 

But I give you fully, fondly, to my country and my God. 

You and I shall never falter in the work we have to do ; 

Go, my boy, where duty calls you, and my heart shall follow you! 

I shall pray for you—how often—with the waking hours of morn, 

Through the labors of my household, when the night is coming on. 

If a mother’s prayer can keep you ’mid the dangers you incur, 

God will surely bring you back again to happiness and her. 

I will never doubt the goodness that has kept you until now, 

That has kept the evil from your heart, the shadow from your brow ; 

And I know that it shall keep you in the path you must pursue ; 

Go, my boy, where duty calls you, and my heart shall follow you ! 

If my boy were less a hero, less the man in thought, in deed, 

I had less to give my country in her trying hour of need : 

And I feel a pride in knowing that to serve this cause divine, 

From the hearthstone goes no braver heart than that which goes from mine, 
I have loved you from the hour that my lips first pressed your brow, 

Fver tenderly, but never quite as tenderly as now. 

All I have is His who gave it, whatsoe’er He bids me do ; 

Go, my boy, where duty calls you, and my heart shall follow you! 

I shall miss you through the springtime, when the orchards are in bloom, 
When the smiling face of nature bathes its beauty in perfume ; 

When the birds are sweetly singing by the door and on the wing, 

I shall think of you who always loved to pause and hear them sing, 

Dong will seem the waning hours through the drowsy summer day, 

With my boy exposed to dangers on a soil so far away. 

But my spirit shall not murmur, though a tear bedim my view : 

Go, my boy, where duty calls you, and my heart shall follow you ! 

You will come and see your mother, come and kiss her, as you say, 

From her lips receive the blessing that shall cheer you on your way ; 

From her fond embrace go forward to resist your country’s foe, 

With the comforting assurance that your mother bade you go ; 

Heaven protect, and bless, and keep you ; holy angels guard your way; 
Keep your spirit from temptation, and your feet from going astray. 

To your mother ever faithful, to your country ever true— 

Go, my boy, where duty calls you, and my heart shall follow you! 


Sons of Yeterans. 

There are four Camps of the Sons of Veterans in the State—Camp No. 
i, at Odessa, and Camps Nos. 2, 3 and 4, in Wilmington. The boys hold 
interesting patriotic meetings, and keep alive the memory of the brave deeds 
of their fathers. They assist the veterans on Memorial Day to strew the 
graves with flowers and observe the national holidays. Their camp-fires 
and entertainments are much enjoyed by the veterans and their families. 
They exchange fraternal visits with Camps in other States, and are being 
educated in the tactics of war. 


History of Gen. Thos. A. Smyth Circle No. 1, Ladies of the G. 

A. K., of Delaware. 

An auxiliary to Thos. A. Smyth Post, No, i, consisting of the wives, 




206 



daughters, mothers and sisters of comrades, was organized in 1881. This 
was the first auxiliary in Delaware, and was called the Ladies’ Aid. On 
February 24, 1882. the Post and Aid held a fair at the City Hall; realized a 
good sum, and divided the profits. 

The Aid appointed Miss Helen E. Nostrand, Mrs. Berkes and Mrs. En- 
triken a committee to purchase a set of flags. These flags were presented 
to the Post. 

The ladies, feeling that as they were then working they were not repre¬ 
sented either as a Department or at the National Encampment, they con¬ 
cluded to get up an organization to be known as the Loyal Ladies’ League. 
With this purpose in view, two of the ladies started out one stormy day in 
October and visited the families of the comrades, even crossing the Christi¬ 
ana creek in a boat, as the bridge had been broken down. Enough mem¬ 
bers were secured and a meeting was called on October 31, 1885. Mrs. 
Eliza Edmonds, of Trenton, 'N. J., Department Secretary, and Mrs. Laura 
McNeir, of Camden, N. J., organized and instituted the League; Mrs. McNeir, 
instituting officer. 

The following officers were elected and installed by Mrs. McNeir: 
President, Mrs. Lizzie Wrightington; Senior Vice-President, Lydia A. Her¬ 
itage; Junior Vice-President, Mrs. Martha Price; Chaplain, Mrs. Mary E. 
White; Secretary, Mrs. Nettie Garrigan; Treasurer, Mrs. Rachel Liddell; 
Conductor, Miss Maggie Heritage; Guard, Miss Melvina Heritage. 

The charter members are : 

Lizzie Wrightington, Nenniette Garrigan. Maggie E. Heritage, Sadie J. 
Phillips, Martha J. Platt, Margaret Bugless, Hannah M. Furr, Annie M. 
McManus, Margaret Elliott, Julia E. Williams, Anna E. Todd, Sarah E. 
Elliott, Sarah J. Berg, Rachel Liddell, Mary E. White, Lydia A. Heritage, 
Melvina B Heritage, Mary J. McClane, Anna Cummings, Mary A. McClane, 
Charity Jeandell, Martha Price, Mary P. Price, Mary E. Meeser, Anna M. 
Elliott, Elizabeth Jochen, Mary Manlove, Mary J. Brice, Mary E. Francis, 
Mary R. Hayden. 

Present officers — President, Mrs. Ellen Wogan ; Senior Vice-President, 
Mrs. M. E. White; Junior Vice-President, Mrs. Martha McDonald; Secre¬ 
tary, Mrs. Nettie Garrigan; Treasurer, Mary N. Hillis; Chaplain, Mrs. 
Sallie A. Johnson ; Conductor, Mrs. Julia Williams ; Guard, Mrs. Anna Mc¬ 
Clellan. * 

.^The circle is in a prosperous condition and constantly gaining in mem¬ 
bership. The present membership in good standing numbers thirty. The 



207 


circle has spent for aiding and giving relief to the families of comrades the 
sum of $500; amount presented to Gen. Thos. A. Smyth Post, for their ben¬ 
efit, $128.65. 

The ladies worked under the name of Loyal Ladies’ League until the 
national organization changed it to the Ladies of the G. A. R. This League 
then took the name of Gen. Thos. A. Smyth Circle No. 1, of the G. A. R. of 
Delaware, Department of New Jersey. They have since been placed under 
the national Department, as there is no Department in Delaware. 

A Pleasant Entertainment. 

Smyth Circle, G. A. R., gave a pleasant entertainment Wednesday 
evening, April 20th, 1891, at the headquarters of Smyth Post, No. 1. Robert 
L. Liddell presided. Miss Mabel Platte gave the address of welcome, fol¬ 
lowed by singing by the Misses Platte and Miss Smith, and selections were 
read by Miss Sadie Nostrand and Miss Long. 

William R. Long, of Smyth Post, delivered the following address: 

The Women of the Rebellion. 

“ Much has been said and written of the sacrifices and brave deeds of 
the men who, from 1861 to 1865, offered up their lives in defense of the old 
flag and for the perpetuation of the Union. The deeds of heroism and 
bravery of our gallant cdmrades during the seven days’ of fire and blood in 
the Wilderness, the three days’ terrible conflict at Gettysburg, at Antietam, 
on the rocky heights of Mission Ridge, and scores of other bloody battle¬ 
fields, where hundreds and thousands of men gave up their lives, or parted 
with their limbs in defense of the old flag, have been perpetuated in history, 
and the thought occurred to me that the work done, and the brave acts per¬ 
formed by the women of the Rebellion were too apt to be overshadowed by 
the deeds of their fathers, husbands and brothers. 

If our grandmothers and great-grandmothers, who lived during the 
days when our forefathers were bravely battling and struggling to establish 
to the world that the colonies were by right and should be free and inde¬ 
pendent, if they, the women of that day, were valiant, and self-denying, the 
women of the Rebellion were no less patriotic and devoted. 

• When the news was flashed over the wires to the North that Sumter had 
fallen, and that our proud banner had been trampled in the dust by armed 
traitors, it converted the loyal men into heroes and the women into heroines. 
I well remember the day when the news reached Philadelphia. Every man 
had a set, firm, determined look upon his countenance which told, louder 
than words, that the insult to the flag could only be atoned for by blood, 
while the women urged their husbands, fathers, brothers and lovers to re¬ 
spond to the call issued shortly afterwards, by that great and good man, 
Abraham Lincoln, for 75,000 men to retake and hold the forts, arsenals and 
other public buildings seized by the rebels. 

As regiment after regiment was formed in response to that call, and 
marched through the streets of our city on their way to the station to take 
trains for Washington, they were inspired by the bright smiles and fervent 
“God bless you! ” of their women, who, when at last the trains that were 
carrying them away had passed far out of sight, turned back to weep. 

But they had little time for this. If there was work for the men to do 
in the distant States, there was also work for their women to do at home. 
Clothes were needed, and who could prepare them so well as the women ? 
The Girard House, in Philadelphia, was turned into a vast workshop, where 
hundreds of women toiled day and night, seven days in the week, preparing 
clothes for those in the field. 

There was other work, however, that must be attended to ; soldiers 
from other States, on their way to the front, were daily arriving in Philadel- 


208 


phia, weary and hungry ; some provision must be made for them and right 
nobly did the woman of 1861 take hold of the matter, and the result was the 
Cooper’s Shop Soldiers’ Rest, where, during the four years of the Rebellion, 
hundreds of thousands of soldiers en-route for the front, or on the return to 
their homes, were fed and cared for by the loyal women, who left their home 
and house duties to attend to this imperative call. 

But there were still other duties for the women to perform after the 
storm of battle commenced ; men with great gaping wounds, men with mutil¬ 
ated limbs, men who sunk under the privations incident to long, wearisome 
marches, combined with change of food and climate, these needed care and 
attention, and who so fit or competent to bestow it and nurse them back to 
life, or if that was impossible, cheer their dying hours, as gentle women. 
Consequently, when the Government hospitals were established, there was 
no trouble whatever experienced in obtaining nurses. The loyal hearts of 
the women of this Nation, who loved the old flag, induced thousands of them 
to leave their homes to take their places in the hospitals. Dr. Brockett in 
speaking on this matter says : 

“Women there were in this war, who without a single relative in the 
army denied themselves for the whole four years the comforts to which they 
had been always accustomed, went thinly clad, took the extra blankets from 
their bed, never tasted tea, or sugar, or meat, that they might wind another 
bandage around some unknown soldier’s wound, or give some parched lips 
in the hospital another sip of wine. Others never let one leisure moment, 
save from lives of pledged labor which barely earned them bread, go un¬ 
employed in the service of the soldiers.” The names and noble self-sacri¬ 
ficing deeds of the women of the Rebellion will never be fully known. God 
himself keeps this record ; it is too sacred to be trusted to man. As a rule, 
American women showed not only the greatest feeling and sympathy for the 
soldiers in their exposures and sufferings, but also a patriotism and love 
for the Union equal to that which caused two million three hundred thous¬ 
and men to volunteer for its defense. 

Among those who were conspicuous for their labors in the hospital, and 
contributed largely to the comfort of our sick, wounded and exhausted sol¬ 
diers in the Western armies, there is none more deserving of the title of 
“The Soldier’s Friend” then Mother Bickendyke. She was of humble 
origin; and of but moderate education, a widow, and something over forty 
years of a.ge, with robust frame and great powers of endurance. She was 
also possessed of a rough, stirring eloquence and earnestness of manner, 
which proved very effective in carrying measures which she conceived neces¬ 
sary. When the war broke out she was a housekeeper in a gentleman’s 
family at Cleveland, Ohio, but early commenced her labors of love and 
kindness among the sick and wounded men of the army, and continued 
them with ever increasing success till the close of the conflict. 

One of her peculiarities was the fact that she devoted her attention 
almost exclusively to the private soldiers. The officers, she said, had enough 
to look after them ; but it was the men, poor fellows, with but a private’s 
pay, a private’s fare and a private’s dangers, to whom she was particularly 
attached. They were dear to somebody and she resolved to be a mother to 
them. Woe to the surgeon or assistant surgeon, commissary or quarter¬ 
master, whose neglect of his men came to her cognizance. For such a one 
she had no mercy, and in more instances than one, by the fierce torrent of 
her invective, or the more effective method of appealing to the commander 
of the army, with whom she always had great influence, she procured their 
dismissal from the service. Her will was strong, and when she had deter¬ 
mined to do a thing it would be carried through, whatever obstacles might 
present themselves ; yet, while even officers of high rank stood appalled and 


209 

yielded to her commands, she was as gentle and tender as a mother to the 
common soldiers. 

At one time, while in charge of the Gayaso Hospital in Memphis, she 
left the kitchen where she had been preparing food for the sick soldiers, 
about ii o’clock in the morning, to look around the wards. Coming to one 
where there were a number of badly wounded men, she found that the as¬ 
sistant surgeon had not yet been around to attend to them, and as they were 
on the special diet list, the poor fellows, faint and hungry, had not had any 
breakfast. Upon making inquiry as to the cause of his being so late, she 
ascertained that he had been drunk the night before; and was sleeping off 
the effects of his debauch. Her anger knew no bounds; and while she was 
denouncing him in the strongest terms he came in, and fairly trembled as he 
looked at the enraged little woman that confronted him. He.diowever, 
tried to put on a bold front and inquired, 4 Why, what’s the matter, Mrs. 
Bickendyke ?’ 

Turning upon him with scorn she replied, 4 Matter enough, you misera¬ 
ble scoundrel! Here are these men, any one of tnem worth a thousand 
such as you. who are suffered to starve and die because you want to be upon 
a drunk. Pull off your shoulder straps,’ she continued, as he tried to laugh 
off her reproaches, ‘pull off your shoulder straps, for you shall not stay in the 
army another week.’ 

The surgeon still laughed, but he turned pale, for well he knew her 
power, and she was as good as her word. Within three days she had caused 
his discharge. He went to headquarters and asked to be reinstated. Gen¬ 
eral Sherman, who was then in command, listened patiently, and then in¬ 
quired who had caused his discharge. 

‘I was discharged in consequence of misrepresentation,’ answered the 
surgeon evasively. ‘ But who caused your discharge ?’ persisted the general. 
‘Why,’ said the surgeon, hesitatingly, ‘I suppose it was that woman, that 
Mrs. Bickendyke.’ ‘Oh,’ said Sherman. ‘Well if it was she, I can do 
nothing for you. She ranks me.’ 

Such was the power possessed by this noble woman, and this is but one 
of the many instances in which she used that power in behalf of the soldiers. 
Still she was but one of the hundreds who devoted four years of their lives 
in ministering to and caring for the men who left friends, homes and all they 
held dear, to do or die, so that they could hand down to their children a 
Union, even stronger and firmer than that given into their keeping by their 
fathers. 

Women were also called upon to make sacrifices, which in many in¬ 
stances, wrung their hearts. They saw their husbands, brothers, sons and 
fathers dorl the blue and go, they knew not where, but in the lonely vigils of 
the night, when anxiety for the loved ones drove sleep from their eyes, the 
prayers of thousands of women, prayers from hearts almost bursting with 
grief, would ascend to the throne of grace, asking that the protecting 
arm of the God of battles should be thrown around their loved ones far 
away. 

There was one aged woman in Philadelphia, who has been termed the 
Cornelia of America. Her name was Mary Ellet, and she was born on the 
17th day of June, 1799. Her mother, Hannah Erwin Israel, was a heroine 
of the Revolution. Mrs. Ellet’s son, Colonel Charles Ellet, was killed in 
one of the battles of the rebellion, and the son of that son died from the 
effects of a disease contracted in the army. A clergyman in company with 
Mr. George N. Stuart, called upon Mrs. Ellet in reference to some business 
connected with Christian Commission, in which she took an active interest. 
The body of her grandson, Charles Rives Ellet, had just arrived, and the 
clergyman upon being apprised of the fact expressed the hope that the 
Lord would sustain her under her bereavement. Turning towards him, she 


210 


fl POINT WORTHY OF ATTENTION. 


FRENCH The Tobacconist, 

is selling good goods at bottom prices. 
Fine Brands of Segars. I manufacture 
the celebrated North Rose Havana 
Brand, and a full line of Domestic Segars, 
Snuff, and Pipes. 


5 EAST THIRD STREET, 

WILMINGTON. DEL. 

Member of Post No. 23, and Encampment 34, U. V. L. 



W. MCELWEE, 

G- G rina S e > 

DEALER IN 

Furniture, 

Funeral Director 

and Embalmer, 

Carpets, 

Oil Cloths 

824 KINQ /T., 

and Stoves. 

WILMINGTON, DEL. 

N, W. COR. FIFTH AND SHIPLEY STS. 

U Wilmington, Del. mb 


JOHN PAGE & SON, 


DESIGNERS, MO DELERS AND 
CHASERS. 

MANUFACTURERS OF 

Patterns and Moulds for all Kinds of Metal Work. 


1018 Arch Street, 


Philadelphia. 









2 11 


replied that she had given her son, Colonel Ellet of the Ram Fleet, and 
Brigadier General Ellet of the Marine Brigade, and four grandchildren, ad¬ 
ding, “I do not regret the gift to my country. If I had twenty sons I would 
give them all, for this Union must be preserved. If I were twenty years 
younger I would go myself, and fight to the last." 

No less sacrificing was the spirit manifested by Rachel Sommers, a 
poor but loyal woman of East Tennesee. She was summoned to the im¬ 
provised hospital where her son was dying from wounds received in fight¬ 
ing for the old flag. She came accompanied by another son, about 16 years 
of age, and as soon as she entered the building knelt down by the side of 
her dying boy. 

“Mother,” he faintly said, “good-by. And you, Tom, good-by. Be of 
good cheer, mother. God will take care of you and save—save the—” A 
low, gurgling sound rattled in his throat and he passed away with the name 
of his country on his lips. The stricken mother closed the eyelids of her 
dead son; and then kissing again and again his calm, pale face, turned to 
go away. As she did so the chaplain, taking her hand in his, said to her : 

“The Lord gave; the Lord hath taken away.” Looking up to him with 
tranquil face and tearless eyes, the woman answered: “Blessed be the 
name of the Lord. They have murdered my husband, Mr. Chaplain, and 
my oldest boy, and now John, too, is gone.” Then laying her hand on the 
shoulder of her living son she turned to the Colonel, and while her voice 
trembled a very little said : “He’s all I have now, Mr. Colonel, take him 
and give him John’s place in the regiment.” 

A tear rolled down the Colonel’s weather-beaten cheek, and he turned 
his face away but said nothing. There was a convulsive twitching about 
the Chaplain’s firm set mouth as he said : 

‘The Spartan mother gave only two sons to her country; would you give 
three ?’ 

‘ I’d give all— have given all I got’ was the low answer, as the woman 
passed out alone to 4 ier desolate home. Is it any wonder that with such 
wives and mothers as these, men were inspired to fight as men never fought 
before ? 

There were also women soldiers who performed their duty in the field, 
and showed by their bravery that women can be soldiers in our land and 
times. Among them I may mention Madam Turchin, wife of General Tur- 
chin, who rendered essential service by her coolness her thorough knowl¬ 
edge of military science, her undaunted courage and her skill in command. 
When her husband was a Colonel in command of an Illinois regiment she 
accompanied him to the field. During the march through Tennessee in the 
spring of 1862, Colonel Turchin was taken seriously ill, and for several days 
had to be carried in an ambulance. During this time Madam Turchin not 
only tenderly nursed her husband, but also assumed command of the regi¬ 
ment, and her administration was so judicious that no complaint or mutiny 
was manifested. 

Becoming engaged in a battle, she was constantly under fire, now lead¬ 
ing and encouraging the men, and anon rescuing some wounded man from 
the place where he had fallen, administering restoratives, or having him 
conveyed to the field hospital. In all the companies of the West, this brave 
woman was in the field, confining herself usually to ministration of mercy 
to the wounded, but ready, if occasion required, to lead the troops into 
action, and always manifesting the most perfect indifference to the shot and 
shell, or the whirring minnie -balls that fell around. She not only was de¬ 
void of fear, but seemed to bear a charmed life, for, though so frequently 
exposed to the enemy’s fire, she never received even a scratch. 

There were numbers of other women who accompanied their husbands 
to the field and displayed the greatest fearlessness and daring, but it would 


212 


JAMES MONAGHAN, 

Justice of the Peace 

AND NOTARY PUBLIC. 

OFFICE; 

3 W. Seventh Street. 

RESIDENCE: 

1321 Walnut Street, 

Wilmington, Del. 

CONFECTIONERY 

AND NOTIONS. 

TOBACCO 
AND CIGARS, ETC. 

J. M. 

HAnPTON, 

419 W. Second Street. 

H. H. Entriken, 

DEALER IN ' 

Q^ars apd Jobaeeo, 

PIPES, SNUFF, ETC. 

311 TATNALL ST., 

Wilmington, Del. 

Pipes and Meerschaums a Specialty. 

JOHN GREENLEE, 

Practical Plumber, 

Gas and Steam Fitter, 

217 

WEST FOURTH STREET. 


The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. 

815 MARKET ST., 

WILMINGTON, DEI.. 

Pure Goods Sold Only. Coffee, Tea, 
Baking Powder, Condensed Milk 
and Spices. 

Presents Given Away. 


PENSIONS. 

Soldiers, Sailors, Widows, 
dependent relatives and 
minor children are enti¬ 
tled. Communicate with 
me. Advice free. 

JOHN E. WILSON, Jr. 

ELKTON, MD. 
BENJAMIN WILLIS, 

THOS. A. SMYTH POST NO. I, 

BOOT AND SHOE MAKER, 

405 SHIPLEY ST. 


Repairing neatly done while you wait. 
Call or leave your order. 

J. S. THOMPSON, 

PRODUCE 

Commission Merchant 

12 EAST 4 STREET, 

Wilmington, Delaware. 











213 


be an impossible task to attempt to enumerate even a fractional part of 
them. But had it not been for the aid and assistance given to the Union 
soldiers by the loyal women of the nation, they could not have achieved 
victory, and Lee would never have been compelled to surrender his sword 
to the victorious. 

When, after the close of the war, the Grand Army was organized, it 
struggled on in an almost hopeless endeavor to maintain an existence. But, 
some few years ago, the Woman’s Auxiliary Corps was formed, and from 
that day until the present, the star of prosperity has beamed brightly upon 
this organization of veterans, and to-day it numbers over 400,000 men, with 
fully eight thousand Posts scattered from the Atlantic to the Pacific, all en¬ 
gaged in teaching an unswerving loyalty to the old flag, and not only 
preaching, but practicing a noble charity, in attending to sick or disabled 
comrades, burying the soldiers who have heard the last roll call, and minis¬ 
tering to the wants of their widows and orphans. This vast army is bound 
together by a mighty chain of fraternity, whose links will never be totally 
severed so long as there are but two Union soldiers left upon the face of the 
earth. But this great organization, which is now a mighty power in the land, 
would not be in existence to-day had it not been for noble, true-hearted, 
loyal women. 

They have always come forward to assist the Posts in any and every¬ 
thing that would advance their welfare. If a Post room is to be furnished, 
or a set of flags are needed, the women are always ready with a fair or 
something of the kind to raise the necessary funds. Do you want to have a 
camp-fire and gather your old comrades around to pass a pleasant evening 
and renew old recollections, your ladies are always ready and willing to 
assist. So it is with everything connected with the Posts, and the Grand 
Army is under a lasting debt of gratitude to their wives, sisters and 
daughters. 

In conclusion, I would urge the mothers present to teach their children 
to live and respect that old flag, and to venerate and prize this Union which 
has cost so much blood and treasure. When you tell your little ones the 
story of the heroic deeds done by the men of 1861, and of the many self-sac¬ 
rificing acts of the women of that day, impress it upon their minds that all 
this was undergone that a united country, a country bound by a bond of 
unity extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from Canada to the 
Gulf, should be left to them, in their keeping, for them to love and cherish, 
or if need be fight and die for. Then, if in the future the occasion should 
again be raised to tear down and destroy this noble structure of self-govern¬ 
ment, then will history repeat itself, and men will again spring to arms 
from hill and vale, from mountain and valley, in defense of our beloved 
country, and women will again be found willing to sacrifice the comforts of 
home to minister to their needs, binding their wounds and inspiring them 
with courage which makes heroes. God bless our own native land ; may 
the sun in its course across the heavens look down upon no more happy or 
united land than this, our beloved America.” 

After recitations by Miss Alice Garrigan, Frank Philips, Miss Martie 
Williams, Miss Clara Wiswell and Miss Essie Simpers, refreshments were 
served and the entertainment closed. 


Entertainment and Camp Fire. 

Just before the Twenty-sixth National Encampment of the G. A. R., at 
Washington, Smyth Circle, No. 1, Ladies’ of the G. A.R., held an entertain¬ 
ment and open camp fire. Miss Nettie Garrigan presided. Singing by the 



214 


Wilmington Restaurant, 

No. 121 Market St., 

WILMINGTON, DEL. 

Neat lodging Rooms 25 cents per 
night. Good 15 cent Meals at all 
Hours from 6 a. m. to 12 p. m. 

a. m. THomas, Prop. 


E. T. BRATTEN, 

Dealer in 

Groceries, Teas, Coffees, Spices 
Tobacco and Cigars. 

Fruits and Vegetables in Season. 
N. E. Cor. 

Fourth and Monroe Sts , 
WILMINGTON, DEL. 

Novelty Machine Works, 

Wm. a. McCowen, 

Manufacturer of Pharmaceutical and 
Other Light Machinery, Lawn 
Mowers Sharpened and 
Repaired. 

NO. 511 ORANGE STREET, 

WILMINGTON, DEL. 


COMRADES: 

I keep a strictly One-Price 
Store. ^ 

SHOES. 

DRY GOODS, ' 
NOTIONS AND 
OIL CLOTH. 

WM. HOUCK, 

9th and Spruce Sts., 
Wilmington, Del. 


J. A. WILSON, 

UNDERTAKER 

and 

EMBALMER, 

6 1 6 King Street, 

JAMES HARDING, 

Merchant Tailor, 

BIB French St,, 

WILMINGTON, DEL. 


D. L. STANTON, 

Dealer in 

Cigars, Tobacco, Pipes, 
Snuff, etc., 

No. 4 W. THIRD STREET, 
Wilmington, Del. 


II. W. MILES , 

TOBACCO 

and 

CIGARS, 

Fruits and Confectionery, 
Delaware Avenue 
and Dupont Street, 

Opposite Street Car Depot, 

WILMING TO N, DELA WARE. 










2I 5 

Epworth Choir was followed by prayer by the Rev. J. P. Otis, of the Brandy¬ 
wine M. E. Church. 

Patriotic speeches were made by Comrades Charles A. Foster and 
Samuel Wood. The Rev. J. P. Otis in a brilliant speech presented a beau¬ 
tiful American flag to Thomas A. Smyth Post, No. i, on behalf of the La¬ 
dies’ Circle. Commander Geo. W. King received the flag on behalf of the 
Post. Past Department Commander Samuel Lewis was then introduced 
and presented, on behalf of the Ladies Circle, a picture of George Wash¬ 
ington to the Smyth Post, which was received by Past Department Com¬ 
mander Ross. The boys gave three cheers for the flag and three cheers 
for the ladies. The choir sang a patriotic song. 

After interesting addresses by Comrades William R. Long and Solo¬ 
mon, refreshments were served in good old army style consisting of hard¬ 
tack and black coffee, and the camp-fire closed. 

Ladies 5 Aid of Admiral S. F- DuPont Post, No. 2 . 

The Ladies’ Aid of Admiral S. F. DuPont Post, No. 2, of Wilmington, 
Del., is composed of soldiers’ wives, widows and daughters of the Post. It 
is from them that the Post has received the furnishing of their splendid 
room and also their kitchen equipments, so that they are enabled to furnish 
entertainment at any time to members of their own Post and to visiting 
members of other Posts. On a number of occasions they have entertained 
members of Winfield Scott Post, No. 114, of Philadelphia, and of DuPont 
Post of New York, and generally furnish entertainment for the members of 
different Posts outside the city who are in attendance of the Department 
Encampment, when it is held in Wilmington. They have presented the 
Post with some handsome flags and banners. 

The Ladies’ Aid held a number of interesting entertainments for the 
benefit of various objects. Among them was a stereopticon and literary 
entertainment, given for the purpose of raising funds to purchase a flag for 
No. 5 School. Comrade Kilmer furnished the stereopticon views. 

The present officers are—President, Mrs. J. R. Kilmer; Secretary, Mrs. 
Wheeler; Treasurer, Mrs. J. S. Booth. 



Women’s Relief Corps, No. 1, G A. R. Department of Dela¬ 
ware. 

A Visit to North East, Md. 

On Thursday, November 20, 1890, Mrs. C. H. Weil, President of 












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Women’s Relief Corps, No. i, G. A. R. Department of Delaware, accom¬ 
panied by several of her staff officers went to North East, Md., and joined 
the Woman’s Relief Corps, No. 9, of Maryland, in attendance of the re¬ 
union of the Fifth Maryland Regiment. 


Flag Presentation Iby the Women’s Relief Corps. 

At an entertainment given by the Women’s Relief Corps of U. S. Grant 
Post, in the Post room of Thomas A. Smyth Post, on May 27, 1891, a flag 
was presented by the Corps to the U. S. Grant Post. The presentation 
speech was made by the President of the Relief Corps, Mrs. A. M. Beatty, 
and it was received on behalf of the Post by Past Commander Weil. 


Raising the Flag Over Public School No. 15. 

Thursday, November 5, 1891, was a gala day at Public School No. 15’ 
the occasion of the presentation of a handsome United States flag by the 
ladies of the U. S. Grant Relief Corps to that school. Never was a school- 
house so bedecked in flags, bunting, National colors and National emblems 
than was this school Thursday afternoon. The front of the building was 
almost enveloped in bunting, and from every side window fluttered in the 
breeze smaller flags. The word “Welcome” over the portals of the door 
had a hospitable meaning. But inside the decorations were more elaborate 
still. There was a profusion of flags, pictures and crayon drawings in every 
school-room. The landscapes, cities, flowers, portraits and other drawings, 
upon the blackboard surfaces, were worthy of trained artists, and they were 
looked upon with the greatest admiration. 

Miss Webb’s room. No. 3, is entitled to especial notice on account of 
the patriotic display made in it by Joseph Osborne, a Grand Army veteran. 
Mr. Osborne’s patriotism was aroused and he offered his services to the 
ladies who were decorating the building. Mr. Osborne had almost the en¬ 
tire east end of Miss Webb’s room for his exhibit of war relics. 

Here was a life-sized crayon of Abraham Lincoln and some seven or 
eight other pictures of scenes of the late war; on a stand was a ten pound 
cannon ball picked up by Comrade Osborne on the Brandywine battle field, 
his own camp utensils of the late war, including his spoon, knife, fork, tin 
plate, candle-stick, with a tallow dip half burned, that he preserved since 
the war. Hanging against the wall were his fatigue cap, belts, bayonet, 
scabbard, cartridge box and canteen. On the wall also hung an old flint 
lock musket used in the old French war and used again by Mr. Osborne’s great¬ 
grandfather in the battle of Brandywine in defence of American liberties. 

No. 15 school is located at Third and Harrison streets. The school 
committee was composed of Thomas F. O’Donnell and Arthur «V. Brilely. 
The teachers were Miss Lizzie J. Sayers, principal; Mrs. Maggie Money, as¬ 
sistant- Miss Lizzie C. Duncan, 1st assistant; Miss Julia Stenicken, 2d; Miss Sal- 
lie G. Watson, 3d; Miss Anna T. Burns, 4th; Miss Lizzie Webb, 5th; Miss 
Elizabeth Carlisle, 6th, and Miss Ella Curlett, 7th. 

The members of the Board of Education were : Samuel F. Betts, 
Daniel Ross and Dr. J. C. Fahey. 

The children’s literary exercises in the Principal’s room—the largest in 
the building—commenced at 2.30 P. M. The following was the programme, 
as rendered under the direction of Miss Sayers, Principal, and Mrs. Maggie 
Money, assistant. Professor Berlin presided : . 

Singing, “My Country, ’TisofThee; Salutatory, by Rich dBicking, Exer¬ 
cise, by a class of little girls; Reading, by Mamie Dixon; Recitation, by Virgie 
Woods; Dialogue, “ Abraham Lincoln,” in which the following-named chil- 




218 


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219 

dren took part: Isaac Hallam, Herbert Clark, Harlan Buzine, Joseph 
Whittaker, Jesse McKay. William Rothrook, Lulu White, Alonzo Estes, 
John English, Walter Lind, Ethel King, John Harlan, Bertha Bell, Mamie 
Dixon, John Doughten, Charles Kohlbecker, Alfred Burton, Joseph Gra¬ 
ham, Marion Lang, James Higgins, Nannie Hurlock, Lewis Howgate, Chas. 
Graham, Bessie Tomlinson, Maud Mortlock, Clara Estes and Clarence 
Dickey. Recitation, “Barbara Fritchie,” by Bessie Foster; Singing,‘‘tent¬ 
ing To-Night;” Recitation, by Archie Lummis; Recitation, by Harlan Buzine. 

After the literary exercises Were over the friends of the pupils inside the 
school-house, by request of chairman of the school committee, marched 
out the rear door, around the house and out into the street where an im¬ 
mense crowd had gathered on Harrison street. Then commenced t e 
marching of the children from their respective rooms by pairs along tne 
hallway and out the front doors to the street where they could get a goo 
view of the hoisting of the flag and hear the patriotic remarks ot me 
speakers. Hyatt’s Band kept up continued music all the time the children 

were marching out and taking positions. 

As soon as the pupils of one room passed, those of another room tell 
in behind, all keeping step to the music of the band. Misses Lizzie Carlisle, 
Anna Burns and Lizzie Webb commanded the children in marching like 
trained soldiers. No drill master could have put through the marching 
step better. Among the last to march out were thirteen girls representing 
the old original thirteen states. Each girl wore a sash of the national col¬ 
ors and on their breasts were the names of the States they represente . 

Delaware was represented by Helen McKenzie, Rhode ^ s ^ an ^ 
Maggie File, Massachusetts by Annie Jones, South Carolina by Bena 
Vaughn, New York by Bertha Bell, New Jersey by Agnes Dukes New 
Hampshire by Lulu Hagey, Maryland by Reba McLaughlin, North 
lina by Sallie Garrett, Pennsylvania by Nannie Hurlock Connecticut by 
Lizzie Hardesty, Virginia by Mamie Roop, Georgia by Della Ward. 

Following these little Maids of Honor came forty-four boys and girls, 
representing the whole forty-four States of the Union. They all wore sashes 
and looked very handsome. After the alignment of the children in the 
street, the ladies of U. S. Grant Relief Corps arranged themselves m the 
doorway, President Berlin occupying the front step, and Chairman U uoiv 
nell standing beside him. Mrs. A. M Beatty was then announced as the 
first speaker and the lady to present the flag to the committee of *e schooh 

Mrs. Beatty spoke in a strong voice, and said that this was one 
of the proudest days of her life, when she, a woman, ’pe- 

mitted to stand before an audience like this, and on beh 
an organization of patriotic ladies, present a flag , , 

of Education of Wilmington for No. 15 School. She re ^ redt «J^ 

patriotism of the women as displayed in the late war have 

were growing up to be patriotic, and this glorious occasion would have 

a tendency to make them more so. Mrs. Beatty’s eloquent and^ patri¬ 
otic address was warmly appreciated and loud r !j^ heer ^ d ' tA^if of the 
address by handing the flag over to Chairman O Donnell, on behalf of t e 

ladies of U. S. Grant Relief Corps. . J nf the 

Chairman Thomas F. O’Donnell received the flag on ™ 

Board of Education for No. 15 School in a highly patriotic speech eulogistic 
of the flag. He complimented the ladies upon their patriotic purpose, and 
told thenfhow their efforts were appreciated by the Board Education 
teachers and pupils of No. 15 School, and also by the parents of the pupils. 
Mr. O’Donnell then drew vivid scenes of the battles of tj e !ate war 1 
fense of the old flag, which, by the blood on a hundred battlefields, had 
become endeared to every American loyal heart. 


220 


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221 


His allusions to Grant and other generals of the war elicited the warm¬ 
est applause. The colors of the flag taught first, love to God ; second, love 
to each other, and third, love for your country. 

Mr. O’Donnell accepted with thanks the beautiful and patriotic gift 
from the ladies for No. 15 school, with the promise that it would be honored 
and revered by every child and teacher in the school. 

A beautiful bouquet was then presented to Mrs. Beatty by the ladies of 
the Relief Corps, and another handsome bouquet was presented to Joseph 
Graham, and a wreath thrown over his shoulders in recognition of his hav¬ 
ing collected $8.29 towards paying for the band and decorating the school- 
house. Master Graham bowed his acknowledgments for the beautiful pres¬ 
ents. Then came the fastening of the flag to the halyards and hoisting it in 
position. Master John O’Donnell represented the Army and Mary Deemer 
the Navy. 

The flag was committed by Chairman O’Donnell to the little girls rep¬ 
resenting the thirteen original States, and they in turn handed it over to the 
forty-four boys and girls representing all the States of the Union. Then 
Joseph Graham pulled at the rope and the beautiful emblem of liberty be¬ 
gan to rise up over the heads of the audience, and as a gentle breeze loos¬ 
ened its folds the whole 422 boys and girls waved their miniature flags and 
shouted until the flag floated majestically from the top of the staff. 

As the flag was ascending to its place everybody gave it a shout, and 
the band vigorously played “Auld Lang Syne.” Johnnie Keinle delivered 
a recitation about Columbia, and the scholars sang “Columbia, the Gem of 
the Ocean.” 

The flag-raising exercises being over, the children were marched back 
in perfect order to their respective places in school, and the great crowd of 
spectators dispersed for home. 

The members of the Board of Education and the ladies of the Relief 
Corps remained. 

As soon as perfect order was restored in the school room, the scholars 
were served with ice cream and cake by the ladies of the Relief Corps. 

During the raising of the flag the whistles of the various manufacturing 
establishments were blown, and flags were floated everywhere. 


National Officers of the Ladies of the Union Yeteran Union. 

President, Mrs. Omella C. Rose ; Senior Vice-President, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Schellart; Junior Vice-President, Mrs. Annie E. Taylor; Treasurer, Mrs. 
Henrietta S. Wheeler; Secretary. Mrs. Maggie Foster, New Castle, Pa.; 
Chaplain, Mrs. Jennie Miller; Inspector, Mrs. A. B. Horne; Counsellor, 
Mrs. Margaret Gammel; Instituting and Installing Officer, Mrs. Mary E. 
Beighel, Altoona, Pa. 

National Advisory Board—Senior Vice-President, Mrs. Elizabeth Schel¬ 
lart; Junior Vice-President, Mrs. Annie E. Taylor; Chaplain, Mrs. Jennie 
Miller; Treasurer, Mrs. H. S. Wheeler; Secretary, Mrs. Maggie Foster; 
Mrs. Julia M. Johnson, Mrs. Sadie Kuhn, Mrs. M. E. Snodgrass. 


History of the ladles of the Union Veteran Legion Auxiliary 
No- 25, Wilmington, Del. 

The Ladies of the Union Veteran Legion Auxiliary No. 25, auxiliary to 
Encampment No. 34, U. V. L., of Wilmington, Del., was organized on Feb¬ 
ruary 16, 1893, with the following charter members: 

Ellen G. Wogan, Annie E. McCaulley, Amelia A. French, Mary E. 




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223 



White, Annie E. Downing, Lydia A. Heritage, Melvina B. Tuxbury, Lida 

A. Taylor, Mary McDowell, Fannie McDowell, Lida R. Layman, Melvina 

B. Pennington, Margaret Connor, Lida J. Weir, Sarah D. Brear, Florence 
A. Foster, Johanna G. Wilcox, Lulu Turner, Eliza Wilhelm, MyraS. Maser, 
Bertha Duffy. 

Mrs. Mary E. Beighel, of Altoona, Pa., National Installing Officer, was 
present and installed the officers that had been elected at a previous meet¬ 
ing. The present officers are : 

President, Ellen G. Wogan; Senior Vice-President, Lydia A. Heritage; 
Junior Vice-President, Sarah Brear; Chaplain, Mary E. White; Treasurer, 
Annie E. McCaulley; Secretary, Melvina B. Tuxbury; Color Bearer, Amelia 
A.' French; Conductress, Melvina B. Pennington; Guard. Margaret Connor. 

The Auxiliary is constantly increasing in membership, one or more 
members being mustered in every meeting night. 

While National Officer Charles A. Foster, of Wilmington, Del., was at 
the Encampment of the U. V. L , held in Indianapolis, in October, 1892, 
he became very much interested in the Ladies’ Auxiliary of that order, and 
upon returning home laid the matter before Encampment No. 34. A com¬ 
mittee of three was appointed, with Chas. A. Foster as chairman. He ap¬ 
pointed a committee of three, wives of comrades of Encampment No. 34, to 
organize Auxiliary No. 25. 

Although ignorant of its object and aim, for the organization was still 
in its infancy, the members'of the committee started out in intensely cold 
weather, determined to secure enough members to organize an Auxiliary. 
Ten members were required to procure a charter, but the chairman and one 
other of the committee, by persistent effort, secured twenty-one members. 

In order to become a member the applicant must be the mother, wife, 
widow, daughter or sister of a soldier eligible to the Union Veteran 
Legion. 

Eight days after the names had been secured the auxiliary was organ¬ 
ized and ready to aid the men who fought from ’61 to ’65, and their 
widows and orphans. The auxiliary is in afloui^shing condition ; the treas¬ 
ury has a small amount on hand. The ladies assisted the Legion in their 
memorial service by draping the hall and procuring plants and flowers for 
the comrades. 

They aided the widow of a deceased comrade; and the widow of a 
soldier, who was not a member of the U. V. L., by purchasing fuel and 
provisions and paying rent. This good work bids fair to a grand success in 
aiding the veterans. They are now engaged in fitting up a library for the 
Encampment, which was opened by that body. 




224 


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Every U. V. L. Encampment should have its auxiliary. It is only a 
short time since this annex was instituted, but it has grown rapidly, and 
twenty-six auxiliaries have been organized. 

The object of these auxiliaries is similar, in many respects, to that of 
the U. V. L. They believe in true fraternity and patriotism, and in standing 
by and helping each other, as well as the needy comrades, their widow s 
and orphans. 


Regiment Reunions. 

The survivors of the Second Delaware Regiment held a reunion, in cel¬ 
ebration of the twenty-eighth anniversary of the battle of Fredericksburg, 
at Shuster’s Cafe, Philadelphia, on December 15, 1891. Frank Nolen, of 
Baltimore, was Master of Ceremonies. Speeches were made by Captain 
Hembold, Thomas J. Wood and Major H. J. Krouse, of Harrisburg, Pa. 


The Fifth annual reunion of the Fourth Delaware Regiment was held 
at Brandywine Springs, Del., on September 9, 1890. 

Resolutions were drafted on the death of the comrades who had died 
during the year that had just elapsed, by a committee, consisting of Com¬ 
rades Finley, Duffy and Buckingham. The Vice-President of each company 
was appointed a committee to report the death of any comrade at each re¬ 
union. 

Speeches were made by Comrades Daniel Green and John Killer, Col. 
Macallister, R. C. Jones and the Rev. Adam Stengle. Patriotic music was 
played by Wm. T. Mearn’s band. 


The sixth annual reunion of the Fourth Delaware Regiment was held 
in Lynam’s woods, at Newport, Del., on August 27, 1891. Dinner was 
served by the wives of the comrades of Newport. A meeting was held in 
the afternoon. Comrade Daniel Green delivered the address of welcome 
Prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr. Miller, of the P. E. Church of Newport. 
Hyatt’s military band discoursed patriotic airs. The following address was 
delivered by Past Department Commander Peter B. Ayers, of Post No. 2 : 

Mr. President and Comrades of the Fourth Delaware Veteran Association : 

I greet you to-day on this your Fifth Annual Reunion of the survivors 
of that grand old regiment whose record in the War of the Rebellion stands 
second to none, and who with other Delaware soldiers in that war, have 
added page after page of magnificent history, that shines brilliantly with 
deeds of self-sacrifice, of personal heroism and manly courage, that shall 
live to your honor and the glory of your posterity so long as the world 
stands. The prestige of the Delaware soldier in their long line of service 
for the Union, lost nothing by there being a Fourth Delaware Regiment in 
the last war. Enlisting as you did in August, 1862, it cannot be said that 
you were tempted by large bounties, etc., but, on the contrary, it was 
the crucial period in the history of the nation. Manassass and Bull Run 
the First had been fought and lost to our armies; the country seemed 
dazed by the blow, and the reorganization of the army was at once 
begun under Gen. McClellan. Then came a period of some little assurance 
to the country, when that grand old army of over 100,000 men went swing¬ 
ing up the Virginia peninsula between the, Pamunkey and the James rivers, 
driving the enemy from their stronghold at Yorktown and winning a splen¬ 
did victory at Williamsburg. When steadily backward they were driven 
until penned up inside their intrenchments in front of Richmond, it seemed 





226 


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227 


that one telling blow was all that was necessary to forever kill rebellion. 
But just as so much was expected, came the awful intelligence that our army 
was defeated and in route. Fair Oaks, Glendall, Savage Station and Seven 
Pines were fought and lost. Flushed with victory, the rebel army swept on 
like a flood and was not stayed until it had crested itself at Malvern Hill. 

General Pope’s army in the valley was next attacked and put in rout; 
the Army of the Potomac was hurriedly brought back for the defense of the 
Capitol. Cedar Mountain, Catlett’s and Bristoe Stations, Deacon’s Branch 
and the second battle of Bull Run had been fought and still on swept the 
victorious enemy. Still nearer the Capitol were our troops drawn, and at 
the very doors almost was the battle of Chantilley fought, where the brave 
Gen. Kearney and the chivalrous Gen. Stevens were killed. Oh ! how the 
great heart of the nation ached. Mothers and wives and children were 
mourning for loved ones who have gone down in the terrible slaughter, the 
awful weight of responsibility seemed crushing our leaders, and, indeed, the 
great thick cloud ot blackness hanging over our loved land seemed to ob¬ 
scure every ray of light and cheer. Our armies had been beaten, their 
ranks awfully decimated by death on the many battle-fields and disease in 
the swamps, until, as it has been declared by Swinton, the historian, to have 
beon the darkest hour of the nation’s existence. 

Yet dark as was the hour as slim as seemed the chance for the life and 
continuance of the Union, in that dark hour was born your gallant old regi¬ 
ment, under the call for three hundred thousand more troops. You 
answered in August, 1862. So that I say that, with no thought of gilt-edged 
soldiering, but as intelligent citizens, lacing the peril of the hour, and because 
of the nation’s peril, because of the principle of “One Country and One 
Flag,” one and inseparable, was dearer to you than the pleasures and pur¬ 
suits of civil life ; leaving your homes and friends, your books and your 
business, you threw yourselves into the contest, hazarding every chance, 
suffering every fatigue, determined that this Union, one and inseparable, must 
and should be maintained ; and, with this principle written across your 
hearts, you left your homes—many of you from this vicinity—under the lead 
of that gallant, heroic and brave citizen soldier, Col. A. H. Grimshaw, and 
went to the front, and from that time until Lee surrendered at Appomattox, 
you were in it, and the history of your grand old regiment is a bright page 
in the history of the nation that shall live as long as men live, and in the 
after days, when the nations of the world shall come to pay tribute to our 
system of splendid self-government, your children and your children’s chil¬ 
dren shall point with pride to your record and say, “My father fought and 
suffered and sacrificed to maintain and perpetuate this great American 
Union.” 

A story has been told of one of our General officers who, being weak 
ot physique, and worn out by the terrible strain of fighting and marching 
during the battles of the Wilderness campaign,, determined during one 
hard night’s march to slip off by the roadside and get an hour’s sleep. He 
was awakened just as the rear guard came trudging by, and overheard the 
following by an over-tired veteran: “ Holy God,” said he, “I love our 
country, and am willing to fight for it, to starve for it, to go barefooted for 
it, and, if necessary, to die for it, but, when this war is over, I’ll be darned 
if I ever love another country.” 

How often, my comrades, can you call up just such conversations as this, 
when, tired and hungry, and worn out by battles by day and hard marching 
by night, patriotism seemed to fag, but a rattling volley of musketry by the 
wayside, or the sharp, wicked crack of artillery just in front, or the scream 
of a shell down the line that sent every man’s head toward mother earth— 
how, like a flash, the tired feeling flew away; how quickly the ranks were 
closed up, every man in his place, cartridge boxes pulled to the front, and 


228 


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229 


when the command came that threw you into the fray, with your eyes 
steadily fixed on the old flag, in alignment you went forward willingly and 
cheerfully to do or die for the sake of our country and its perpetuation. 

The history of your regiment will be told you by some one better ac¬ 
quainted with its formation than I, but one thing I know, that beginning 
with the early battles of the Army of the Potomac at the Wilderness, of 
Cold Harbor, Bethesda Church, where the brave Lieutenant Webb, of Co. 
I. and Sergt. Bicking, of Co. D, with many other brave fellows gave up 
their lives ; on to Petersburg, where on June 18, 1864, in one of the most 
desperate assaults of the whole war, one hundred and eighty-nine officers 
and men were killed and wounded in that action, which was nearly two- 
thirds of your available or fighting force. Shall I select the names of Capt. 
Grimshaw who was wounded there, or the two Cummings Brothers, of Co. 
D, or of Captain Reynolds who gave up their lives as their offering? No ! 
suffice it to say that every man did his best and proved himself a hero ; not 
only there, but throughout the long seige of Petersburg, at Rowanto Creek, 
at the Yellow Tavern, on the Weldon Railroad, at Hatcher's Run, at Boyn¬ 
ton Plank Road, at Five Forks, and finally at Appomatox, the death of the 
rebellion. 

How your minds go back to those days and the scenes of the battles 
and privations. How your pulse quickened when the roll is called of some 
of the men whom you tenderly laid away in their southern graves, only to 
waken when the last reveille shall sound on the camping grounds of eter¬ 
nity. I verily believe that as Christ came forth from the grave and took 
his wounded and bruised body into the presence of God and showed the 
wounds to the father, that they might plead for the sins of the people ; so I 
believe that our comrades who now sleep in their quiet beds in the South 
shall come forth at that time and present their wounded, broken bodies, 
wounded and broken in a war for enslaved humanity, God’s own war. I 
believe they shall plead for the weakness of the flesh and the sins of their 
lives, and we shall see them again when marshaled on the table land of 
Beulah. A friend of mine whose old regiment was about to have a 
reunion in another state from this, said to his wife, “Caddie, I think Pll go 
to the reunion to-morrow and see the old boys.” His wife was a strong 
temperance woman and said, “Well, John, I know you don’t drink, but 
these old soldiers whenever they get together will drink and get drunk, and 
I don’t want you to go.” “Well,” he said, “Caddie you and I are both 
Methodists and we expect sometime to go home to Heaven, and when we 
do, if the good Lord gives me the keys of that great gate, I’ll let every old 
soldier in who comes there, and never ask him if he ever drank rum or 
not,” and I tell you, boys, if John Carey ever gets to St. Peter’s place at 
the gate, you are all sure of heaven. To be candid, boys, I want to live in 
eternity, and I would like to spend it in the society of my old comrades of 
the army. 

Oh, it does send the blood rushing just a little quicker when you re¬ 
member the battles in which fell the brave, generous Captain Meclary, 
Sergt. Briley, Sergt. White, the good brave Charles P. Mortimer, Lynam 
Brown, Corporal Darling, Robert Fox, David Riggs and a hundred and 
more others who lay down their lives on the altar of liberty, Twenty-six 
years and more have passed since then, my comrades, more than a quarter 
of a century, since your last long, hard march from Appomattox Court- 
House to Bailey’s Cross-roads, Va., near Washington; since you went 
swinging down Pennsylvania avenue in that general review in 1865, with 
the swing of a conquest, under the lead of your gallant, brave Colonel 
Geist, whom we yet have with us as the honored president of your associa¬ 
tion, and who won his spurs and promotion by bravery on many battle 
fields. I say it seems but yesterday, and you were proud of yourselves, 


230 


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231 


proud of your record and the whole country was proud of you. So you 
should be just as proud now, you helped put back every star that has been 
pulled from the blue field of the old flag by our southern brethern; you 
took this nation without government, without money, without credit and di¬ 
vided, you fought its battles on a promissory note and endorsed that note 
with your blood and made it good. 

You have lived long enough to have seen star after star added to the 
old flag, until forty-four happy, prosperous States are represented in the old 
flag and are bound together in the great sisterhood of States, and the old 
flag as it is kissed by the breezes of the early morning, means protection 
for its citizens everywhere, whether at home or abroad. You have lived long 
enough to see the accumulation of money pile up from thirteen cents, the 
amount in the treasury at Washington when you took charge, to a bursting 
treasury, the surplus over-running. You have lived long enough to have 
seen the bonds of the government made good and the accruing interest 
paid in gold. Yes, you have lived to see this country take its place in the 
front ranks of the nations of the earth, honored and its flag respected every¬ 
where, and the people of the nation in her proud position of to-day acknowl¬ 
edge that she owes it to the men who fought her battles, and you, my com¬ 
rades, are to be congratulated, not only for your service as soldiers, but 
for your general good conduct and manly bearing since the war. That 
your lives have been exemplary as good citizens, is attested by this large 
gathering of friends who have honored you by their presence, and the 
earnest wish of my heart is that you may all live long to enjoy these reunions 
and enjoy talking over the fraternities found in the army, and of your bat¬ 
tling and suffering during the war for the Union. 

The exercises were concluded with an address by Comrade Roberts. 


The First Regiment Delaware Yolunteer Infantry. 

The organization of this body was begun immediately after the call of 
the President of the United States, April 19, 1861, and the enlistments were 
for the period of three months. Two companies, A and B, commanded by 
Robert S. and Charles E. La Motte, were filled to the required number 
within a few days, and Company C was formed a few days after at Wil¬ 
mington, rendezvousing in the Institute Building, on Market street, which 
was secured as an armory. Other companies were organized in the lower 
part of the State, but owing to the absence of a proper system, could not 
speedily combine to form a regimental body, and a delay of nearly a month 
ensued before the organization was completed. 

The three companies went into camp at Camp Brandywine, the 22d of 
May and on the 25th all the other companies were in camp and doing duty, 
the regiment holding its first dress parade the following day. The organi¬ 
zation of the regiment was fully completed before May 31st. 

On the 28th of May, 1861, the first troops from Delaware moved to¬ 
wards the front, Companies A and B being assigned to Aberdeen, Com¬ 
panies D and E to Bush River. The remaining companies of the regiment 
left Camp Brandywine on the 9th of June, and were stationed along the 
railroad in Maryland as far as Havre de Grace. A brass band which or¬ 
ganized in June did much toward popularizing the movements of the regi¬ 
ment. The companies returned home at intervals from the 2d to the 14th 
of August. 

On the last day of September the companies repaired to a regimental 
camp-ground at Hare’s Corner, New Castle hundred, which was called 
“ Camp Edwards,” where they drilled. 



232 


For the best Cabinet Photo¬ 
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311 ^ MARKET ST., 


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WILMINGTON, DEL. 


FLAGS, 


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2 33 


On October 20, 1861, they marched to Newport, where they took the 
cars for Baltimore; from which place they were transported to Fortress Mon¬ 
roe, where they took quarters at Camp Hamilton. Here they became one 
of the most noted regiments stationed there for their strict discipline and 
fine personal appearance. 

On the 8th of March, 1862, they witnessed the naval battle off New¬ 
port News. The first movement made towards the enemy by these troops 
was on May 9th, when they took part in the investing of Norfolk. The 
regiment moved to Suffolk early in July, remained there until September, 
when it moved against the enemy in northern Virginia. It became a part 
of the Third Division, Second Corps, and was engaged in the Battle of 
Antietam, September 17, 1862. Here it lost nearly one-third of its men. 
On the 19th they marched to Bolivar Heights for recuperation. 

The First Regiment was engaged in the battle of Fredricksburg, De¬ 
cember 13, 1862; battles of Chancellorsville May 1 to 4, in which 50 men 
were lost; Gettysburg, July 2 ; Auburn and Bristoe Station, Va., October 
14; at Locust Grove, November 27, and Mine Run November 30, 1863. 

On the 18th of December, 1863, 210 officers and men of the regiment 
were re-mustered for three years, under the offer of the government, being 
the first organization in the Army to accept the proposition, which included 
a thirty days’ furlough home. The veteran part of the regiment reached 
Wilmington January 1, 1864, amid great enthusiasm. They were presented 
with a handsome flag, which they carried through the remainder of the war. 

They returned to the field February 9, 1864 and joined their brigade at 
Stony Mountain, Va. The regiment was further engaged in the battle of 
the Wilderness and Spottsylvania from May 5th to May 17th; North Anna, 
May 23d-27th ; Cold Harbor, June ist-i2th; before Petersburg, June 5th to 
July; Deep Bottom, July 27th, August 14th and 20th; Ream’s Station, 
August 25th; Gravelly Run and Hatcher’s Run, October 27th, 1864. 

Upon the surrender at Appomattox Court-House, April 9, 1865, the ac¬ 
tive service of the regiment ceased. On May 1st, the weary march north¬ 
ward was begun. On the 15th the regiment went into camp near Munson’s 
Hill, in the neighborhood of Washington, where it remained nearly two 
months. It participated in the grand review at Washington, on the 23d of 
May, 1865, the regiment being commanded by Lieutenant Colonel J. C. 
Nichols. Colonel D. Woodall, of the First Delaware commanded the 
Third Brigade, Second Division, Second Army Corps, which included this 
regiment. The regiment was mustered out July 12, 1865, and proceeded as 
a body to Wilmington, July 14, where, after an enthusiastic welcome home, 
they disbanded. 


The Second Delaware Kegiment Infantry Yolnnteers. 

The Second Delaware Regiment was the first body of volunteer in¬ 
fantry to form in the State under the call for three years’ men. Its regi¬ 
mental organization dated from May 21, 1861, but itsranks were not entirely 
filled up until five months later, on account of no State system to aid in 
this work. This cause also led to the taking of companies from outside of 
the State in order that its organization might be more speedily completed. 
Companies B, D and G were from Philadelphia and Company C from Elk- 
ton, Md. The remainder of the companies were filled up at Wilmington, 
where headquarters had been established by the organizer of the regiment, 
H. W. Wharton, of the United States army. The men rendezvoused at 
Camp Brandywine during the summer of 1861. 

On the 17th of September, 1861, eight companies of the regiment left 
the camp and marched to Cambridge, Md„ where they went into a camp 



234 


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2 35 


of instruction under Brigadier-General H. H. Lockwood. Companies I and 
K joined the command in October and November, 1861, and also prepared 
for service in the field. The regiment moved with the Brigade of General 
Lockwood to Accomac, Va., December i, 1861, and remained in that lo¬ 
cality until March ist, 1862, when it was transferred to Baltimore to do 
garrison duty. In May, the same year, it joined the Army of the Potomac 
under General McClellan, and at the battle of Fair Oaks was assigned to 
the brigade of General W. H. French. Here the first active field service of 
the regiment began and continued almost incessantly during the siege of 
Richmond, participating in the general engagements of Gaines’ Mill, Savage 
Station, Peach Orchard, White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill, from June 
27 to July 1, 1862; the battle of Antietam, September 17; Fredericksburg, 
Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, Mine Run. At the battle of 
Spottsylvania their number was so reduced that the regiment was attached 
to another organization. 


Third Regiment Volunteer Infantry. 

The work of forming the Third Regiment of Volunteers for the term 
of three years was begun late in 1861, but was not actively pushed until the 
spring of 1862. As many of the men were from the central and southern 
parts of the State, a rendezvous was established at Camp Fisher, near Cam¬ 
den, where the recruits were drilled and prepared for service in the field. 

The regiment moved from Camp Fisher the latter part of May, 1862, 
and proceeded to Harpers’ Ferry, engaged in battle on May 28, intercepting 
the northward march of Stonewall Jackson. It was successfully engaged 
at Sulphur Springs, Chantilly and at Antietam. 

After the latter battle the regiment moved to Frederick City, Md., 
where it performed garrison duty for a year, next being stationed at the 
Relay House, near Baltimore. In the spring of 1864 the regiment became 
a part of the Third Brigade, Second Division, Fifth Army Corps, and par¬ 
ticipated in all of the movements of that army. It was also at Cold Har¬ 
bor and before Petersburg. 

After the surrender of Lee, the regiment marched to Arlington Heights, 
where it lay several weeks. Its recruits were transferred to the First Dela¬ 
ware, and those who had enlisted in the earlier stages of the organization 
were mustered out June 3, 1865, proceeding home with the Fourth. 


Fourth Regiment Volunteer Infantry. 

The organization of this regiment of three years’ men was begun early 
in June, 1862, those first enlisted being mustered at Wilmington by Col. A. 
H. Grimshaw. In the latter part of the month the men went into camp at 
Brandywine Springs, where they drilled and formed into companies. The 
regiment was fully organized in September with Companies A to K. 

Most of the men of these companies were from New Castle and Kent 
counties, except Company C, which contained a large number of ex-prisoners 
from Fort Delaware, who had taken the oath of allegiance to the Union. 

In October, 1862, the regiment left Brandywine Springs and marched 
to the Kennett Pike, where the Third Pennsylvania Reserves were relieved, 
and Camp DuPont formed to guard the powder mills in that neighborhood. 
This camp was broken November 10th, in a severe snow storm, in which 
the regiment went to Wilmington and was quartered in Pusey’s factory until 
the following day, when it was removed to Arlington Heights and soon after 
to Camp Vermont, four miles below Alexandria. 





2 36 


* 


THE 

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315 MARKET ST„ 

WILMINGTON, DEL. 



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SHOP, 

No. 815 Shipley Street, 

WILMINGTON, DEL. 






237 


The regiment remained in winter quarters until May, 1863, when it 
made a feint movement towards Richmond, under General E. D. Keys. It 
remained on the Chickahominy until July 5, 1863, when a retrograde march 
was made down the Peninsula. 

In January, 1864, the regiment went into winter quarters at Fairfax 
Court House and remained at that place until May 4, 1864, when it moved 
to Rappahannock Station. Subsequently it moved to Port Royal and em¬ 
barked at that place May 28th, and was engaged in the battle of Bethesda 
Church, June 2, 1864. At the battle before Petersburg, nearly one-third of 
the men were killed. In 1865 the regiment was in the general engagements 
of Rowanty River, White Oak Roads, Thatcher’s Run, Five Forks and Ap¬ 
pomattox Court House. At Lee’s surrender the regiment numbered but 
sixty three. The regiment marched to Arlington Heights, where it was 
transferred to the First Regiment. The original members were mustered 
out June 3, 1865. 


Fifth Regiment Volunteer Infantry. 

This regiment was organized under the call of the President August 4* 

1862. Most of the members were enlisted in October and November, but 
remained in civil life, equipped and ready for a call into military service* 
On June 20, 1863, five companies were called to perform garrison duty at 
Fort Delaware. The remainder of the regiment was ordered to Perrvville, 
Md., the following day, to relieve a New York regiment, but soon joined the 
First Battalion, at Fort Delaware. It was mustered out August 6th to 10th; 

1863. 


The Sixth Regiment Volunteer Infantry was composed of nine months’ 
men, who were mainly from the Southern part of the State. On the 27th of 
June, 1863, they were called to Havre de Grace to do garrison duty on the 
Susquehanna, and subsequently to Fort Delaware, where they remained 
until August 30, when they were taken to their homes and discharged. 

The Seventh Regiment was organized lor thirty days in July, 1864, and 
the troops were known as “ Emergency Men.” The regiment performed 
garrison duty along the Baltimore and Ohio railroad in Maryland, being 
stationed mainly at the bridges. They were mustered out August 11, 1864. 

The Eighth Regiment was enlisted for one year under the call of July 
18, 1864. The organization begun in September and they rendezvoused at 
Camp Smithers. Before the regiment could be filled up, it was ordered to 
move as a battalion of four companies. On the 8th of October, 1864, the 
battalion left Wilmington for City Point, Pa., where it was engaged in build¬ 
ing fortifications. The men returned home to vote, but went back to go 
into winter quarters as part of the same brigade as the Fourth Regiment, 
and were in the same general movements and engagements around Peters¬ 
burg. It marched with the Third Brigade to Arlington Heights, where 
sixty of the recruits were transferred to the First Delaware. The regiment 
was mustered out June 6, 1865. 

The Ninth Regiment was composed of one hundred days’ men. The 
regiment was stationed at Fort Delaware to guard Confederate prisoners, 
and served about a month longer than ks term of enlistment. It was 
mustered out at Wilmington, January 23, 1865. 




238 


210 MARKET ST., 

Wilmington, Del 


Has a complete assortment of Straw Hats, Derby and 
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large stock of White, Percal, Cheviot and Flannel 
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*39 


First Delaware Battery, Field Artillery. 

Authority to raise a company of field artillery was given to Captain 
B. Nields early in August, 1862, and on the 21st of that month the company 
was so far formed that it went into camp at Welden’s Woods, near the 
u Blue Ball Inn,” in Brandywine hundred. After being instructed several 
months the battery left Wilmington for Washington, December 20, 1862, 
and served in the East in 1864. Subsequently it was in the Department of 
the Gulf, but in January, 1865, was transferred to the Department of Ar¬ 
kansas, and Captain B. Nields was appointed chief of artillery and ordnance 
of that department. The battery was stationed at Duval’s Bluff until the 
spring of 1865, when it was taken to Little Rock, from which place it pro¬ 
ceeded to Wilmington, reaching the latter city July 1, 1865. The men were 
then paid off, and finally discharged two days later. 


First Delaware Cavalry. 

Soon after the breaking out of the war battalions of cavalry were organ¬ 
ized as Home Guards in different parts of the State, but no determined effort 
was made to form them into cavalry regiment until the summer of 1862. On 
the 13th of August, that year, Napoleon B. Knight, of Dover, was authorized 
to raise four companies of cavalry in the State, and the work of securing en¬ 
listments was soon begun. Later, September 9, 1862, the Hon. George P. 
Fisher was commissioned by the War Department to raise the First Regi¬ 
ment of Delaware Cavalry, to consist of twelve hundred men and to include 
Knight’s Battalion. This regiment was under instruction at Camp Smithers, 
near Wilmington, in the fall and winter of 1862. 

On the 17th of February, 1863, the First Battalion, under the command 
of Major Knight, left this camp and proceeded overland to Drummond- 
town, Va., to join the brigade of General Lockwood. The other batallions 
followed later in the season, and the service of the regiment was along the 
Potomac, aiding in intercepting the projected incursions into Pennsylvania 
and Delaware. In march, 1865, its headquarters were at Monocacy Junc¬ 
tion, Md., from whence detachments were sent to various points of the 
State, including Baltimore and Annapolis. Detachments aided in the 
search of the assassins of President Lincoln, and Sergeant Gemmill, of Cap¬ 
tain Townsend’s company, captured and brought into camp at Relay 
House, Md., Geo. A. Atzerott, one of the accomplices of S.* Wilkes Booth. 

A number served until the war was over but its men were mustered 
out by detachments, those at the Relay on June 6, 1865, and those at Balti¬ 
more, June 30th, the same year. 


Gen. George H. Thomas Command, No. 1, of Delaware. 

United States Regular Army and Navy Veterans. 

This command was organized December 6, 1890, by the following 
comrades: Wm. Kelly, Jr., Wm. P. Windish, Samuel S. Curlett, Charles 
Lynch, Wm. J. Irwin,' Wm. T. Fuhr, John Cassidy, Austin Riley, Henry 
Johnson and George Keech. 

Present officers—Commander, Wm. B. Norton; Vice-Commander, 
Wm. J. Irwin; Adjutant, Wm. Kelly, Jr.; Quartermaster, Samuel S. Cur¬ 
lett ; Chaplain, Henry Johnson; Officer of the Day, Charles Lynch ; Sur¬ 
geon, John Cassidy ; Officer of the Guard, Jacob Oswald; Inside Sentinel, 
John Murray; Outside Sentinel, Alex. Billingsby. 




240 


G. SIGLER. G. S. WOODWARD. C. G.GUYER. 

SIQLER, WOODWARD &r QUYER, 

HARDWARE AND CUTLERY, 

Paints, Oils and Glass. 

303 MARKET AND 302 SHIPLEY STREETS, 

WILMINGTON, DEL. 

CROSBY St HIL-L-’S 

is the place to buy 
GOOD AND RELIABLE 
DRY GOODS 

cheap for Cash. 

605-607-609 MARKET STREET. 

KAUFMAN S BAZAAR, 406 MARKET STREET. 

House Furnishing Goods, Lamps, Glassware, 

China, Iron and Tinware, Cutlery, Wood and 
Willow ,Ware, Etc. One price store. Man 
spricht Deutsh. On parle francais. Walk in and 
look around. 

KAUFMAN’S BAZAAR, BRANCH OF S. E. Kaufman, 

406 Market St., Wilmington, Del. Trenton, N. J. 

WALL PAPERS FROPl 5 QT/. UP. 

WINDOW SHADES FROfl 25 CT J. UP, 

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711 MARKET STREET, 

WILMINGTON, DEL. 

Lichtenstein & hart, 

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALERS IN 

Dry Goods, Carpets, Oil Cloth, Upholstery, 

No. 228 Market Street, 

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE. 







241 


All persons who have served one or more years in the regular army of 
the United States and had an honorable discharge are eligible to member¬ 
ship. 

The National Association was organized in Philadelphia, 1885. The 
National’s officers were : Commander, Wm. H. Hutt, M. D., Philadelphia ; 
Vice-Commander, Thomas Smith, New Jersey; Adjutant General, Joseph B. 
Burns; Quartermaster, George App, New York; Chaplain, Henry L. Huns- 
berger, Pennsylvania; Inspector, John R. McCullough; Judge Advocate, W. 
E. Marras, New York; Surgeon, J. B. Hailwood, N. Y. They met in Brooklyn, 
N. Y., July 4 1893, for the annual election of officers. There are six Com¬ 
mands in Philadelphia, and Commands in every State in the Union. 


Associations of Union Ex-Prisoners of War. 

The local association of Union ex-prisoners of war of Wilmington, Del¬ 
aware, was organized in May, 1887, with the following members: Wm. 
Kelly, Jr., John P. Hearn, Chas. W. Solloway, Edward Butcher, Chas. W. 
Simmons, Thomas Lynch, D. Crawford, James P. Green, James M. Ban- 
them, Wm. H. Boyer, Matthew M. Macklem, Thomas H. Peters, Daniel 
Hamilton, A. D. Vandever, Daniel Mcllhenney, Wm. B. Warner, John P. 
Donahoe and D. S. Stanton. 

Officers of the association are : President, Wm. Kelly ; Vice-President, 
Thomas Lynch ; Secretary and Treasurer, Wm. Geaheart. 

National officers: President, Marion T. Anderson, Washington, D. C.; 
Vice-Pres. C. G. Davis, Boston, Mass.; Chaplain, Rev. John S. Ferguson, 
Keokuk, Iowa; Historian, O. R. McNary, Leavensworth, Kan.; Secretary 
and Treasurer, L. P. Williams, Washington, D. C., and one Vice-President 
for each State. National Vice-President for Delaware, Wm. Kelly. Jr. 
Local Association Meetings are held every three months in DuPont Post¬ 
room. The National Association meets with the annual G. A. R. encamp¬ 
ment. They admit all persons to membership who were prisoners of war 
at any time from 61 to 66. 


G. A. K. Notes. 

The committee appointed to erect a monument in memory, of Gen. 
Thos. A. Smyth has received a number of designs and proposals from the 
following business men of this city : Wm. Davidson, Thomas Davidson, 
L. W. McGowen and Geo. L. Jones, and from Geo. H. Mitchell of 
Chicago, Ill. 


A lecture was given by the Rev. Dennis J. Flynn, on “ Religion and 
the Republic,” in the Grand Opera House, on April 7, 1892, under the aus¬ 
pices of the Washington Committee of the G. A. R. 

The Fifth Maryland Regiment and the Delaware regiment fought to¬ 
gether during the Revolutionary struggle for the defense of their country. 
At Paulus Hook, now the site of Jersey City, they surprised and defeated 
the British. 


Owing to the failure of the Delaware Legislature of 1893 to appropriate 
funds for the maintenance of the State militia, Troop B was compelled to 
disband, and their armory will be sold. 






242 


THE BEE HIVE 

is acknowledged to 
be a great headquar¬ 
ters for all kinds of 
remnants in domestic 
goods. You can save 
25 per cent, in buy¬ 
ing remnants of many 
kinds of goods. Give 
us a trial, at 

DeHAVEN’S BEE HIVE, 

306 Market Street, 
Wilmington, Del. 


J. J. S7VYITH, 

Wholesale and Retail Dealer in 

FLOUR, 

FEED, 

QRflIN, 

JEEDJ, 

ETC., 

H, E. Cor. 4th and Shipley Streets, 

WILMINGTON, DEL. 


Wilmington saw 

—AND— 

HARDWARE HOUSE 

No. 222 West Second St. 

GEO. L. NORRIS, 

Agent for the Henry Disston & Sons Cele¬ 
brated Saws. 

Saws Gummed, Hammered and Sharpened, 
also Dealer in Sheet Steel. 

Hampton Corundum Wheel and New Diamond 
Hack Saw Blades. 


All orders for new work and repairing 
promptly executed. Also a line of Hard¬ 
ware, such as Carpenters’, Cabinet 
Makers', Pattern Makers’, Ma¬ 
chinists’, Butchers, Moulders’, 
and Draughtmans’ Tools. 


Repairing of Saws in ail its Branches. 
GRINDING AND POLISHING. 

Do not forget the Number. 


S. J. BRADFORD, 

Sole Agent of the 

NEW YORK 

PLfCUlT CO. 

Specialties: 

Wilson’s Celebrated XXX 
Soda, Lunch, Milk and 
Faultless Biscuit, Fine 
Cakes. 


Orders taken for Weddings 
and Receptions. 


No. 103 W. Twelfth St,, 

WILMINGTON, DEL. 














2 43 


XJ. V. Legion Notes. 

Col. W. V. Tuxbury of Encampment No. 34, Wilmington, was pre¬ 
sented with an excellent gavel of native live oak, by Comrade Sylvester 
Solomon. 


Past Colonel Wm. S. McNair, of Encampment No. 34, was appointed 
Judge Advocate General on the national staff of the Union Veteran Legion, 
1889. 


Col. JohnT. Keller, of Encampment No. 109, Baltimore, Md., presented 
that encampment v/ith a new ballot-box, a set of ballots and a neat rose¬ 
wood gavel. 


Errata. 

Page 140, second paragraph from bottom, should read: 

“Soon after the return of the Delaware troops from the Mexican war, in 
1815, a paper was published in Wilmington, called the Blue Hens Chicken , 
and its editors, William T. Jeandell and Francis Vincent, to use street talk, 
did not * make any bones ’ in saying what they thought, and for a. number 
of years the Blue Hen's Chicken flourished, as the boys who “fought, bled 
and died,” felt that it was their duty to give it their aid. Ever since Revolu¬ 
tionary days the citizens of Delaware have regarded the blue hen as a 
proper thing to carry upon their banners. In the parade a blue cock was 
carried which had won a number of fights in mains between New York and 
Delaware.” 


Eyes Examined Free. 


Doctor H. HOEGELSBERGER. 
Oculist, 

Glasses at the Cheapest Prices. 


816 Market Street, 

Opera House. 


WILMINGTON, DEL, 






INDEX. 


Page 

Visits of Committee on Washington G. A. R. Encampment,. i 

Fourth of July, 1891, 1892,.3 to 7 

Troop B Notes,..... 7 

An Old Soldier’s Trip from New York to Chicago by the way of Washington 

and the B. & O. Railroad,. 11 

Twenty-fifth Annual Encampment and Silver Anniversary of the G. A. R. of 

Detroit, Mich.,. 17 

Poem, “ Remember the Post Room To-night,”. 23 

The East Veteran,. 25 

Official Visits of Department Commanders,. 25 

Poem, ‘‘A Soldier’s East Better,”. 27 

Poem, “The Conquered Banner of the Confederacy,”. 29 

Sumter’s East Gun, . 29 

An Order Never Carried Out, .. 31 

Title Page of Department History, etc.,. 33 

Preface. 34 

Life and Public Services of Eli Crozier,... 35 

History of the Grand Army of the Republic in Delaware.. 38 

Past Department Commanders,. 40 

Department Officers and Staff, 1893,. 4 1 

Representatives to National Encampment,. 41 

Biography of Past Department Commanders,.41 to 48 

Biography of Edgar A. Finley, Assistant Adjutant General, Department of 

Delaware,. 49 

Proceedings of the Eleventh, Twelfth and Thirteenth Encampments, Depart¬ 
ment of Delaware,.50 to 69 

Memorial Days, 1891, 1892 and 1893,....69 to 83 

Columbus Day,. 83 

Sketch of the Life of Gen. Thos. A. Smyth, . 83 

History of Gen. Thos. A. Smyth Post, No. 1, Department of Delaware,.86 to 91 

Biographical Sketch of Rear Admiral S. F. DuPont,. 92 

History of Admiral S. F. DuPont Post, No. 2,. 98 

History of Posts Nos. 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 

25, 26 and 27,..../..101 to 118 

The First G. A. R. Post in U. S. A.,.118 

The First Post in Delaware,.119 

The Veterans’ Western Trip on the Famous and Picturesque B. & O. R. R., to 

the 25th National Encampment,.121 

The 26th National Encampment at Washington, D. C.,.134 

The Union Veteran Legion, Encampment No. 34 of Delaware, and No. 109 of 

Maryland,.145 to 162 

Poem, “One Flag in ‘Percesssion,’ ”.163 

Biographical Sketch of E$win F. Hirst, . ..165 

History of the United States Flag,.167 

Flag Raising Over the Goldey Wilmington Commercial College,.172 

History of the Department of Maryland, G. A. R., and Auxiliaries,.177 to 181 

Biography of Philip Lenderking,.:.181 

Biography of Charles A. Foster, .182 

Reunion of the Fifth Maryland Regiment,.184 

A Concert in Libby Prison,.'.199 

Poem, “Mother, May I Go?”.201 

Delaware Monuments at Gettysburg,.201 

Soldiers’ Homes,.204 

Poem, “The Mother’s Reply,”.204 

Sons of Veterans.205 

History of Gen. Thos. A. Smyth Circle, Ladies of the G. A. R.,.205 to 215 

Lftdies’ Aid of Admiral S. F. DuPont Post, No. 2,..215 

| Women’s Relief Corps, No. 1,.215 

( Raising the Flag Over Public School, No. 15,.217 

Ladies of the Union Veteran Legion,.221 

Regiment Reunions,.225 

History of Delaware Regiments,...225 to 239 

First Delaware Battery, Field Artillery; Delaware Cavalry,.239 

Gen. Geo. H. Thomas Command, No. 1, of Delaware, U. S. Regular Army and 

Navy Veterans,. 239 

Association Union ex-Prisoners of War, .241 

G. A. R. Notes,. 241 

IT. V. L. Notes,.243 

Errata,. 243 

Advertisements from pages 2 to 32 and from 210 to 242. 



































































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Pensions, 


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Wilmington, Del. 

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Soldiers’, Sailors’, Children, Mothers’ and Fathers’ Pensions, Back 
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File your claims at once. Thousands of dollars are lost by 
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JOHN WfllNWRIGHT, 

Eighth and Market Streets. 






































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